New Delhi: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film Love & War has suffered a tragedy, after film technician Chandradhari Singh Yadav died on set on 17 June. Reports suggest that Yadav suffered from a fatal electric shock, allegedly caused by a short circuit while work was underway.
Yadav was a 42-year-old carpenter on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film set at Royal Pump Studio in Mumbai’s Film City. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Following the incident, Bhansali Productions announced a compensation of Rs 40 lakh for Yadav’s family. However, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has urged the production house to increase the amount to Rs 50 lakh and also requested employment for Yadav’s wife to ensure the family’s future financial stability.
FWICE President BN Tiwari shared that the film trade union also called for stricter safety measures on set and asked for work hours to be streamlined for technicians.
“Firstly, we want the compensation to be Rs 50 lakh, given that his children are very young, and the family will need aid for their education,” Tiwari told India Today.
He added that Yadav was a talented technician, and that it’s “heartbreaking that he lost his life this way.”
Bhansali’s wartime epic stars Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt. This marks the trio’s first on-screen collaboration. The film also marks Bhansali’s second collaboration with Bhatt after 2022’s Gangubai Kathiawadi. Meanwhile Kapoor made his debut with Bhansali’s Saawariya (2007). The film marks Alia and Ranbir’s second on-screen collaboration after Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmāstra (2022). This is Kaushal’s first collaboration with the director.
The period drama is set to release in theatres on 21 January 2027, and will be available in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)