Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff escaped unharmed on Sunday evening after unidentified gunmen opened fire on his vehicle in Mumbai's Juhu area, in one of the most alarming attacks on a film star the city has seen in years. Three men on a motorcycle fired at Shroff's car around 7 pm near Pushpa Park, within the limits of the Juhu police station, as the actor was leaving a football ground. The Mumbai Police have launched a massive manhunt, formed 15 special teams, and deployed forensic experts — while a social media post claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has taken responsibility for the shooting. Police say that claim has not been verified.
What Happened Near Pushpa Park
According to the Mumbai Police, Shroff had gone to Juhu to play football and was leaving the ground in his car when the attack happened. A large crowd had gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor. "Three to four rounds were fired at actor Tiger Shroff's car as he was leaving a ground in his vehicle. A large crowd had gathered to see him. Several rounds were fired at his car from within the crowd," the department said, according to news agency ANI.
TV actor Karanveer Mehra was with Shroff at the time, NDTV reported. Eyewitnesses told reporters the bikers appeared to be young and had posed as paparazzi before opening fire. In a later update, NDTV reported that forensic experts had recovered empty bullet casings confirming three rounds were fired directly at Shroff's BMW from close range — a preliminary ballistic finding that points, in their assessment, to a calculated effort to intimidate or inflict severe harm.
Two Injured: Driver Firdaus and an Auto Driver
Shroff himself was not hit. "A firing incident has been reported under Juhu Police Station. Actor Tiger Shroff is safe and has not sustained any gunshot injuries. Further investigation is underway," the Mumbai Police said in an official statement.
Two people were hurt in the firing. The actor's driver, Firdaus, took a bullet to his left hand while manoeuvring the vehicle during the sudden ambush and is recovering at Nanavati Hospital in Juhu, where he is out of danger, NDTV reported citing the police statement. An autorickshaw driver, Chauhan, was also hospitalised and remains under treatment.
There is one discrepancy in the early reporting worth noting: Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohit Garg had initially told The Indian Express that the two injured were the driver Firdous and another staffer, Umesh Chavan, who sustained a bullet injury. The later Mumbai Police statement named the driver Firdaus and auto driver Chauhan instead. What all accounts agree on is that two people were injured, both are in hospital, and the driver is out of danger.
The Police Operation: 15 Teams, Forensics, CCTV
The response has been on a war footing. The Mumbai Police have formed around 15 specialised teams to track down the suspects, forensic teams have been deployed to collect and examine evidence from the scene, and investigators are scanning CCTV footage from the area to identify the assailants and trace their movements. Senior officers, including DCP Mohit Garg, visited the spot, and teams from the Juhu police station, the Crime Branch and nearby police stations were rushed there after the alert.
The Print reported that a preliminary investigation has been launched and the process of registering an FIR is underway. Shroff's father, veteran actor Jackie Shroff, confirmed that his son is unharmed and was assisting officials at the police station, according to PTI.
The Bishnoi Gang Claim — Unverified
Shortly after the shooting, a social media post appeared claiming responsibility in the name of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The Hindustan Times reported that gangster Anil Pandit said he, along with Harman Sandhu, was behind the attack. The post, written in Hindi, said: "We had called him and tried to explain things to him, but he did not understand. So today, we made sure to explain it to him properly." It carried a warning to the film industry: "Anyone in the Mumbai film industry who does not listen to us or works with Salman Khan will be next. Wait and watch."
That claim must be treated with care. Mumbai Police sources told The Print it was premature to confirm the motive claimed in the social media post, and that it remains under probe. Gulf News similarly reported that police have not verified whether the post is genuine or whether the gang was behind the firing. As things stand, the Bishnoi link is a claim, not an established fact.
The Salman Khan Connection
The reason the claim post names Salman Khan is no mystery. In April 2024, two individuals on a bike fired at the first-floor balcony of Khan's residence in Mumbai. The Mumbai Police subsequently arrested six accused and charged nine, including Lawrence Bishnoi and his brother Anmol Bishnoi, The Print reported. Khan's security was later enhanced in light of persistent threats from the gang.
Sunday's shooting bears similarities to that earlier pattern, The Economic Times noted: shooters arriving on motorcycles, followed by social media posts claiming responsibility. Whether this is a genuine Bishnoi operation or an imitation designed to look like one is exactly what the 15 police teams are now trying to establish.
Reactions Pour In
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took note of the incident on Sunday, calling the Mumbai Police Commissioner to seek details of the firing, ANI reported citing sources in the Chief Minister's Office. Fadnavis directed the commissioner to conduct a swift investigation and take strict action against those responsible, Business Today reported.
Congress leader Sachin Sawant wrote on X: "The news of a shooting at actor Tiger Shroff's car is utterly shocking. What's exactly going on in Mumbai? The murder of Baba Siddique, a shooting at Salman Khan's house, threats to numerous actors and producers… Law and order in Mumbai has gone completely haywire." The post reflects a wider unease in the industry — that the city's biggest stars are becoming targets, not just its headlines.
Why It Matters
Three things make Sunday's attack significant. First, a direct firing at an A-list Bollywood actor in a crowded public place is a genuine escalation — the bullets missed Shroff, but they struck two bystanders, and the intent is under investigation. Second, the claim post's open warning to "the Mumbai film industry" suggests the intimidation campaign against Bollywood figures is widening beyond Salman Khan's circle, whether or not the Bishnoi gang is truly behind this one. Third, it lands in a city already rattled by high-profile violence, and the police response — 15 teams within hours — shows how seriously the establishment is taking it.
What Happens Next
The immediate questions are forensics and identification: ballistic analysis of the recovered casings, CCTV footage from around Pushpa Park, and the registration of the FIR, which was still in process on Sunday night. Police must also determine whether the viral claim post is genuine, who posted it, and whether the shooters have any connection to the Bishnoi network or were imitating it. A security review for film personalities in Mumbai looks likely, and the industry will be watching closely for arrests — the only outcome that will calm the fear Sunday's gunfire has spread.
Key Takeaways
- Three motorcycle-borne men opened fire on Tiger Shroff's car near Pushpa Park, Juhu, around 7 pm on Sunday, October 18; the actor escaped unhurt.
- Mumbai Police say three to four rounds were fired; forensic experts later confirmed three rounds were fired directly at his BMW from close range.
- Two people were injured: Shroff's driver Firdaus, who took a bullet to the hand and is recovering at Nanavati Hospital out of danger, and an autorickshaw driver, Chauhan, who remains hospitalised.
- A social media post claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang took responsibility and warned film industry figures who work with Salman Khan; police say the claim is unverified.
- The attack mirrors the April 2024 firing at Salman Khan's residence, after which six were arrested and nine charged, including Lawrence and Anmol Bishnoi.
- Mumbai Police have formed 15 special teams, deployed forensics, and are scanning CCTV; Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a swift investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Tiger Shroff injured in the Juhu firing?
No. The Mumbai Police confirmed that the actor is safe and did not sustain any gunshot injuries. His father Jackie Shroff also confirmed his son is unharmed and was assisting officials at the police station after the incident.
Who was injured in the attack on Tiger Shroff?
Two people were hurt, according to a Mumbai Police statement quoted by NDTV: Shroff's driver Firdaus, who took a bullet to his left hand and is recovering at Nanavati Hospital in Juhu out of danger, and an autorickshaw driver, Chauhan, who remains hospitalised. Early briefings had named a staffer, Umesh Chavan, instead.
Did the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claim the attack?
A social media post attributed to gangsters Anil Pandit and Harman Sandhu claimed the attack was carried out on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, with a warning to Bollywood figures who work with Salman Khan. Mumbai Police have not verified the post's authenticity, and the link remains unconfirmed.
How many rounds were fired at Tiger Shroff's car?
Mumbai Police initially said three to four rounds were fired at the actor's vehicle from within the crowd. Forensic experts later recovered empty casings confirming three rounds were fired directly at Shroff's BMW from close range, NDTV reported on Sunday night.
Where and when did the shooting happen?
The firing took place around 7 pm on Sunday, October 18, near Pushpa Park in Juhu, Mumbai, within the limits of the Juhu police station. Shroff was leaving a football ground in his car when three motorcycle-borne men opened fire; TV actor Karanveer Mehra was with him.
What has the Mumbai Police said about the investigation?
Police have formed around 15 specialised teams, deployed forensic teams, and are examining CCTV footage to identify the assailants and trace their movements. A preliminary investigation is underway and the process of registering an FIR had begun on Sunday night. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has directed a swift probe and strict action.
Sources
- Hindustan Times — "Tiger Shroff escapes unhurt after shots fired at actor in Mumbai, Lawrence Bishnoi gang claims attack" (full report)
- The Economic Times — "Unidentified persons open fire at Tiger Shroff in Mumbai's Juhu" (full report)
- The Print — "Tiger Shroff shot at in Juhu. Actor unhurt, police launch probe" (full report)
- The Indian Express — "Actor Tiger Shroff Shot At in Mumbai's Juhu, Escapes Unhurt" (full report)
- NDTV — "Tiger Shroff Assassination Bid Updates" (live updates)
- Business Today — "Firing at Tiger Shroff's car in Mumbai's Juhu, CM Fadnavis orders swift investigation" (full report)
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