MUMBAI: One of the arrested alleged shooters in the
Tiger Shroff firing case told police during interrogation that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang wanted to settle scores with the actor for praising
Salman Khan during a film’s promotion in 2022.
At the event for ‘Heropanti 2’, Shroff was asked about the film’s Eid release date, traditionally associated with Khan’s movie releases. “Is industry mein ek hi hai Tiger, aur woh hai Salman Sir. I am just a billi in front of him. I am Simba, a tiger cub... (There’s only one tiger in the industry, and that’s Salman)”, he had said in response, referring to Khan’s spy movie franchise. The quip had gone viral on social media.
According to police sources, alleged assailant Phool Singh told investigators that he did not know much about the motive but had been told by wanted accused and key conspirator Anil Pandit that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang wanted to exact revenge for that remark. Police officers said they are investigating this claim.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has previously issued threats to people associated with Khan. Audio messages attributed to US-based Pandit and another gang member, Harman Sandhu, who had claimed responsibility for such attacks in the past, had allegedly warned that members of the film industry working with Khan could also be targeted. The gang has repeatedly demanded an apology from Khan over the 1998
blackbuck poaching case.
Shroff reportedly figured in warnings allegedly linked to the gang, but both the actor and his father, Jackie Shroff, have denied receiving any threat. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty had also denied receiving threats despite an audio message, which was attributed to the gang and circulated, claiming Shetty had been warned earlier to stay away from Khan. The gang also allegedly threatened actors Ranveer Singh, Aamir Khan and Ayush Sharma.
Police are investigating whether the threats and attacks are part of a coordinated attempt to intimidate the film industry. Preliminary findings suggest that firing incidents involving prominent personalities may be intended to create fear in Bollywood and generate publicity for the gang, said a senior official.