From Salman Khan To Shah Rukh Khan: Bollywood Personalities Who Faced Death Threats
In this article, we will be talking about some Bollywood personalities who have received death threats in the past.
Bollywood actors enjoy god-like following in the country and everywhere they go, they are surrounded by fans and paparazzi. These celebrities do not have much privacy, and at all times, they are surrounded by people. Be it Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, or Alia Bhatt, fans always follow them around, and at times, we also get scared for their safety. No matter how much security they walk along with, when a crowd of so many people is near, you cannot help but worry about these superstars' safety and well-being.
Amidst this great fan following, the constant threat of violence and intimidation always surrounds these stars. Over the years, numerous Bollywood actors and filmmakers have found themselves at the receiving end of death threats, whether due to their controversial statements, political affiliations, or personal disputes.
Recently, Salman Khan was caught in the middle of a huge controversy as unnamed men fired multiple bullets outside the actor's residence, Galaxy Apartments in Mumbai. Five rounds of shots were fired outside Salman Khan’s residence on April 14 and one of the bullets reportedly landed on the balcony of the actor’s residence.
This incident came months after Salman Khan was given death threats by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The two accused of firing outside Salman's home ended escaping on a bike, and they were later arrested in Gujarat. Identified as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, they were arrested from Bhuj.
When this entire incident happened, Salman Khan's brother Arbaaz Khan also released a statement on Instagram, saying, "The recent incident of firing by two unidentified persons on a motorcycle at Galaxy apartment the residence of the Salim Khan family is very disturbing and unnerving. Our family has been taken aback by this shocking incident that took place."
"At this time the family is helping and cooperating with the police in the investigation of this untoward incident. We have faith in the Mumbai police and we have been assured they will do everything in their capacity to protect and secure our family. Thank you everyone for your love and support," the statement read further.
Earlier this month, Anuj Thapan, an accused who was arrested in the Bollywood actor Salman Khan house firing case, died in a hospital after he tried to commit suicide in Mumbai Police custody, as reported by Hindustan Times.
However, this is not the first time that outside forces have threatened Salman Khan. Over the years, Salman Khan, known as 'Bhai', among his fans, has had his fair share of run-ins with controversies. From hit-and-run cases to alleged poaching incidents, Salman Khan's personal life has also often made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
However, it is not just his off-screen antics that have landed him in trouble. Salman Khan has earlier faced death threats from various quarters. Be it protests by religious groups over his films or threats from underworld figures due to personal disputes, Salman Khan has seen it all in his long career, but somehow he has managed to navigate through the tough times.
Considering how Salman Khan continues to battle it out against death threats, and constant threats to his family, we decided to take a look at some of the Bollywood personalities, apart from Salman Khan, who have also encountered similar situations in the past.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into the lives of some of the Bollywood personalities who have faced death threats in the past and we will try to explore the incidents that brought them face to face with danger.
When you go through our list, you will realise that while we always talk about the stardom and fame these Bollywood personalities enjoy, there is always the constant threat of violence and intimidation, lurking around. Everything these personalities say becomes news, and it ends up offending someone or the other. So the next time you wonder why your favourite star is not speaking about injustice in the world, probably read this article again.
So without further ado, the list is as follows:
Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan, known as the 'Badshah' and 'King' of Bollywood, is no stranger to controversy. Throughout his career spanning decades, SRK has faced his fair share of death threats, often stemming from his nature and comments on sensitive issues. One of the most notable instances occurred in 2010, during the release of his film 'My Name is Khan' as SRK's comments on the participation of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) sparked outrage among certain political groups, leading to threats against him and his family. The situation escalated to such an extent that Shah Rukh Khan was forced to seek heightened security measures to ensure his safety.
In 2023, after the success of Atlee Kumar's 'Jawan', SRK once again received death threats and this prompted the Maharashtra government to increase the superstar's security to Y+.
Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan, who is referred as the 'Perfectionist' of Bollywood, is known for his thought-provoking films and socially relevant commentary. However, the nature of his movies and his habit of not keeping quiet on socially relevant topics, has also made him a target for political groups and backlash. In 2015, Aamir Khan found himself embroiled in controversy when he expressed concern over the rising intolerance in India. His remarks sparked a nationwide debate and this led to threats against him and his family. Despite the risks, Aamir Khan stood firm in his stance as he refused to back down from his stance on secularism and social justice.
In 2022 as well, Aamir Khan faced boycott calls and threats, when his film 'Laal Singh Chaddha' was nearing its release. This topic of intolerance was once again used to create a controversy against Aamir. For the unversed, the same intolerance comments were said by Shah Rukh Khan as well, and he also had to face a lot of political backlash and threats.
Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone, one of Bollywood's leading ladies, has also found herself on the receiving end of death threats. In 2017, Padukone faced backlash from fringe groups over her role in the film 'Padmaavat'. The historical epic, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, drew criticism for its portrayal of a legendary queen, leading to protests and threats against the cast and crew. The Shri Rajput Karni Sena issued death threats against Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone regularly. They also threatened to cut off Deepika's nose, burn her alive, and behead her.
Deepika Padukone, however, handled the situation with grace and poise, refusing to succumb to intimidation.
Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut is known for her fearless attitude and outspoken nature. However, her no-holds-barred approach has also made her a target for threats and intimidation. Ranaut has been embroiled in numerous controversies over the years, whether it's her views on nepotism in the film industry or her public spats with fellow actors and filmmakers. She has also made several comments against Congress and other political parties, and this has resulted in her facing death threats and backlash.
However, despite facing backlash from various quarters, Ranaut remains unapologetic about her beliefs and refuses to be silenced by fear. She will soon be contesting Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on a BJP ticket from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is currently enjoying the success of his latest Hindi web series 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar', has also faced his fair share of threats and intimidation. Known for his cinematic vision and opulent storytelling, Bhansali's films often court controversy for their portrayal of historical and cultural figures. One of the most infamous incidents occurred during the filming of 'Padmaavat' when Bhansali's sets were vandalised, and he was even slapped by the protestors. His hair was also pulled by these protestors.
This particular incident sparked a nationwide debate on creative freedom and censorship, highlighting the challenges faced by filmmakers in a politically charged environment.
Nana Patekar
Nana Patekar, renowned for his intense performances and social activism, has also faced threats from various quarters. Nana Patekar's involvement in various social causes, coupled with his outspoken demeanor, has made him a target for intimidation and violence. Whether it's his efforts to support farmers or his vocal criticism of the government, Nana Patekar has never shied away from speaking his mind, despite the risks involved.
Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Kashyap, the maverick filmmaker known for his bold and unconventional storytelling, has also faced threats and harassment for his outspoken views. Kashyap's films often tackle taboo subjects and this makes him an easy target in terms of criticism and backlash from conservative quarters. However, it is not just his films that have courted controversy; Kashyap himself has been targeted for his vocal criticism of the government and his support for various social causes.
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