Three suspects have been taken into custody in Kota, Rajasthan, in connection with the shooting at Bollywood action star Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai, according to Indian media reports.
Shroff escaped gunfire during Sunday evening’s attack and reportedly took charge of the situation by driving his injured driver to seek medical assistance.
The shooting, which took place near Pushpa Narsee Park in Mumbai’s Juhu area on October 18, has raised fresh concerns about the safety of Bollywood personalities amid a series of attacks allegedly linked to extortion networks.
Local media reported that police picked up three suspects from the Railway Colony area of Kota on Monday. However, reports differ on whether the men have been formally arrested or remain in custody.
Investigators suspect the attackers had monitored Shroff’s routine before carrying out the shooting. According to ANI, they allegedly knew the actor played football in Juhu on Sundays and waited around 45 minutes outside the ground before opening fire as he returned to his car.
The suspects reportedly fled on a Pulsar motorcycle, travelled along SV Road and abandoned the vehicle outside Andheri West railway station before boarding a train towards Borivali. Preliminary intelligence had suggested that they subsequently crossed into Gujarat.
Mumbai Police registered a case against three unidentified men on charges including attempted murder, criminal conspiracy and offences under the Arms Act. Fifteen police teams were formed to trace the attackers, while the Crime Branch has taken over the investigation.
Forensic teams also collected spent cartridges from the scene. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence to identify those responsible.
Shroff reportedly drives injured driver to hospital
Shroff is being praised on social media after reports emerged that he took the wheel of his car and rushed his injured driver for medical treatment following the shooting.
According to reports, the actor moved into the driver’s seat after the attack and drove towards Santacruz Police Station before being escorted by police to Nanavati Hospital in Vile Parle.
A video circulating on social media reportedly shows Shroff switching seats and taking control of the vehicle. The footage prompted praise from users who commended the actor for prioritising his driver’s safety during the emergency.
Shroff escaped without gunshot injuries. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who visited the actor’s family on Sunday night, said Shroff’s hands had been hurt by gunpowder and flying glass.
Reports identified the injured driver as Firdous Ibrahim, also referred to as Firdaus in some accounts. He reportedly sustained a bullet wound to his left arm or wrist and was described as being in stable condition.
An autorickshaw driver identified as Chauhan was also reported to have been injured. Both injured men were treated at Nanavati Hospital.
Gunmen fired several rounds near football ground
The shooting occurred at around 7pm on Sunday as Shroff was leaving a football session in Juhu. According to reports, unidentified assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire near Pushpa Narsee Park before fleeing.
Police initially estimated that three or four rounds had been fired. Shinde, however, said five shots were fired during the attack.
The precise circumstances of the shooting and the identities of those who carried it out remain under investigation.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis telephoned Shroff following the incident and assured him that authorities were working to apprehend the suspects.
“We are all with you. We will track down the accused soon. Do not worry,” Fadnavis told the actor, according to local media.
The chief minister also sought a detailed report from Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti. Opposition parties have criticised the state government, accusing it of failing to maintain law and order in Mumbai.
Bishnoi gang claim circulates online
A social media post purportedly issued by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the shooting and named Anil Pandit, described as a gang member, and Harman Sandhu as being behind the attack.
In an audio clip circulated online, a man identifying himself as Pandit allegedly said Shroff had been targeted for defying the gang and continuing to work with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. The speaker also reportedly threatened others in the film industry who work with Khan.
Police have not verified the social media post or the audio recording, and no motive for the shooting has been officially established.
The alleged claim has drawn attention to the gang’s longstanding feud with Khan and its reported threats against people associated with the actor. Investigators have yet to establish whether the shooting was connected to that dispute.
Film industry raises alarm over attacks on celebrities
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) condemned the shooting and placed it in the context of earlier attacks involving Bollywood figures.
These include gunfire outside the homes of Salman Khan and filmmaker Rohit Shetty, the January 2025 knife attack on actor Saif Ali Khan inside his home, and repeated targeting of comedian Kapil Sharma’s cafe.
Police said the attack on Saif Ali Khan occurred when an intruder allegedly entered his home during an attempted break-in.
AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta said criminal gangs were seeking to intimidate Bollywood personalities and extort money from them.
“Today it is Tiger Shroff. Who is next?” Gupta said in a statement.
The association urged the Maharashtra government to arrest both the shooters and those who allegedly directed them, dismantle the extortion network and provide protection to film personalities and their families.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) also condemned the shooting, calling for an investigation that is “thorough, impartial and time-bound”.
Bishnoi gang’s history of threats and violence
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s feud with Salman Khan dates back to 1998, when the actor was accused of killing two blackbucks during the Rajasthan shooting of the film ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain;. The antelope is considered sacred by the Bishnoi community.
Khan was convicted by a trial court in 2018 and appealed the verdict.
In April 2024, two men on a motorcycle fired five rounds outside Khan’s Galaxy Apartments residence in Mumbai’s Bandra area. Five suspects allegedly linked to the gang are now on trial in connection with that shooting.
Six months later, politician Baba Siddique was shot dead in Bandra. A suspected conspirator subsequently attributed the killing to the gang in an online statement.
In February, gunfire struck filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu residence, and the gang later claimed responsibility for that incident as well.
The latest shooting involving Shroff has renewed concerns over the security of Bollywood personalities, although investigators have not confirmed a link between the incident and the gang.
With three suspects in custody in Rajasthan, Mumbai Police are continuing to investigate the shooting, examine forensic evidence and establish who planned and carried out the attack.
Authorities have yet to publicly confirm the suspects’ identities, verify the alleged gang claim or establish a motive.
Meanwhile, Shroff’s reported decision to drive his injured driver for medical assistance has become a major talking point on social media, as the incident puts renewed focus on security concerns affecting India’s film industry.
