The highly vigilant Lawrence Bishnoi gang has reportedly claimed responsibility for the shooting at the Juhu home of the wealthy star Rohit Shetty. The incident was a detailed attack, apparently carried out in the early hours of Sunday, February 1, 2026, where the perpetrators fired at least five rounds at "Shetty Tower" using mobile, motorized gangsters.
Although there were no casualties, the group quickly made a statement in a viral social media post, issuing a violent manifesto targeting not only the Singham director but also the "entire Bollywood industry."
The "Trailer" and the Threat
A few hours after the gunfire began, a post appeared on accounts linked to senior gang members Shubham Lonkar and Arzoo Bishnoi. Written in Hindi, the message described the shooting as a "small trailer." "We sent him messages several times not to come back and interfere with our work, but he seemed confused," the post said.
"If he doesn't listen, the next bullets won't be outside the house they will be inside his bedroom, into his chest." The statement evolved into a general threat to the film industry, urging stars to "mend their ways" or risk a fate worse than that of the late politician Baba Siddique, who was assassinated in 2024.
Police Action and Arrests
The Mumbai Crime Branch and Juhu Police acted swiftly, deploying 12 special teams to track down the suspects. By Sunday evening, authorities had detained five suspects in Pune who were providing logistical support. The suspects, identified as Swapnil Sakat (23), Siddharth Yenpure (20), Aditya Gayaki (19), and Samarth Pomaji (18), have been formally arrested. Early police reports indicate that the two shooters traveled from Pune on a bike, which they abandoned about 2 kilometers from Shetty's home.
Why Rohit Shetty?
While a specific motive is still under investigation, police intend to explore Shetty's close relations with the police and the project he is working on. Shetty is known for his "Police Universe" movies, and this year he acquired a book by former Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria which delves deeply into the Mumbai underworld which may have offended the Bishnoi syndicate with its actions.
Industry on High Alert
The Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) has condemned the attack and urged the Chief Minister to take immediate action. Security has been increased at the homes of several A-list stars previously targeted by the gang, including Salman Khan and Kapil Sharma. Police maintained heavy patrols at Shetty Tower on Monday morning, and the industry is awaiting an update on the "interfering" activities the gang referred to in its warning.
