The actor has been stepping out every Sunday for decades to meet the people who gather outside Jalsa, but his November 1 appearance was unlike anything fans had seen before. At 84, Bachchan needed a layer of bulletproof glass between himself and the people who had come to see him. The sight of Amitabh Bachchan greeting fans from behind bulletproof glass outside his Juhu home has left the film industry worried. The incident has now become part of a larger security concern raised by the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), which has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent protection for Bollywood personalities.
In a letter dated November 3, 2026, AICWA president Suresh Shyam Lal Gupta has asked the Prime Minister to intervene and ensure the safety of actors, filmmakers and their families. In 2026, the terror of the underworld, which was believed to have been brought under control, has returned to the streets of Mumbai. The association has pointed to a series of shootings, attacks and extortion threats involving members of the film industry, arguing that the situation can no longer be taken lightly. The AICWA has cited several incidents to explain why it believes security around the film industry needs to be strengthened. These include the murder of Baba Siddique in Bandra, the firing outside Salman Khan ‘s residence, the knife attack on Saif Ali Khan at his home and the firing outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu residence. Explaining its concerns, the AICWA wrote, “All these attacks appear to be aimed at extortion. Gangsters know that Bollywood is the softest target and that it is known all over the world. By attacking famous film personalities, they want to make a name for themselves and to extort money on a large scale. The association has also raised questions about the broader law-and-order situation in Mumbai. It argues that attacks on celebrities have made the city’s security a concern for everyone, not just those in the film industry. If a celebrity like Tiger Shroff is not safe in the heart of the city, an ordinary Mumbaikar cannot feel safe either. Words alone are not enough; Bollywood needs real and visible protection. It also pointed to the security arrangements that several actors have reportedly implemented in response to these threats. Salman has installed bulletproof glass at his residence, while Akshay Kumar and other film personalities have reportedly taken similar precautions. Bulletproof cars are also increasingly being used for protection.
The association said, “When the biggest names of the industry have to turn their homes and vehicles into fortresses, it shows how deep the terror has gone.” The letter stated, “Today, law and order has broken down in Mumbai.
The letter also recalled Bachchan’s Sunday tradition, which draws fans from across India and even overseas. His son, Abhishek Bachchan, was present beside him during the recent appearance. Expressing concern over what the actor had to do simply to meet his fans, the association wrote, “For more than four decades he has met his fans there every Sunday, and people from across India and abroad come just to see him. His son Abhishek Bachchan, who rarely comes out, stood beside him to protect his father. It added, “People have heard of bulletproof cars. Never before had they seen a superstar step out of his home behind bulletproof glass just to meet the people who love him. This image will be remembered in the history of Indian cinema, and the whole industry was shaken by it.”
At the age of 84, he never imagined he would have to protect himself like this in his own city.
The association said the image had sent a troubling message about the safety of people in the industry.
