A shocking incident has sent ripples across the television industry — the set of the immensely popular daily soap Anupamaa was ravaged by a massive fire in Mumbai, resulting in severe damage to property and raising urgent questions about on-set safety standards. The incident, which took place earlier this week, has drawn intense scrutiny, with the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) now demanding the immediate filing of an FIR against the production house and the TV network responsible for the show.
According to reports, the fire broke out during routine shooting hours at the set located in Mumbai’s Film City. Though there were no reported fatalities, sources suggest that the fire caused significant material loss and forced the immediate evacuation of cast and crew members present on site. Fortunately, no major injuries were reported, though the magnitude of the fire was enough to bring production to a complete halt.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as thick smoke engulfed the area and flames quickly consumed parts of the elaborate set. Firefighters were rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control after several hours of intense effort. Preliminary speculation suggests an electrical short circuit could have triggered the fire, but no official confirmation has been issued yet.
Following the incident, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) released a strongly worded statement, holding both the production team and the channel accountable for alleged negligence. In its letter, the association questioned the absence of adequate fire safety measures on a set of such scale and demanded criminal action. “This is not the first time such a dangerous incident has occurred on a TV set. How many lives must be risked before someone is held accountable?” the statement read.
The AICWA is calling for an FIR to be registered under appropriate sections of the law, including those related to endangering human life due to negligence. The association emphasized the need to set an example to prevent similar incidents in the future. “We demand that the production house and the broadcasting channel be booked immediately. Their carelessness could have cost lives,” AICWA President Suresh Shyamlal Gupta stated.
The fire has not only disrupted the schedule of Anupamaa, one of the most-watched shows on Indian television, but it has also sparked an industry-wide conversation about on-set safety protocols, or the lack thereof. With long working hours, high electrical loads, and fast-paced shooting environments, many sets often compromise on safety to meet deadlines — a practice that now stands exposed.
Fans of the show have expressed both concern and outrage online. While many were relieved to hear that lead actors including Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna were unharmed, others questioned why such basic precautions were not taken by the team. Hashtags like #AnupamaaSetFire and #TVIndustrySafety started trending on social media shortly after news of the incident broke.
In response, the channel airing the show issued a brief statement expressing regret over the incident and confirmed that an internal inquiry is underway. The production house has yet to issue a detailed public comment beyond assuring viewers that they are assessing the damage and cooperating with authorities.
Meanwhile, the Anupamaa team is reportedly working on shifting operations to a temporary set while the damaged location is evaluated for reconstruction. However, insiders say that the disruption could lead to delays in episode telecasts if alternate arrangements are not finalized swiftly.
As investigations continue, the AICWA insists that this cannot be treated as “just another accident.” The association has also extended support to crew members affected by the fire and has urged the government to enforce stricter regulations for fire safety on entertainment sets.
This tragic episode has brought to light once again the urgent need for reform in production practices, especially in India’s booming television industry, where output often takes precedence over safety. Whether this incident will serve as a wake-up call remains to be seen — but for now, the pressure is mounting on the authorities to act.
