Actor Mahesh Thakur has called for stronger security measures and stricter law enforcement following the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, stressing that protecting individual celebrities is not enough to ensure public safety.
Speaking to IANS, the ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’ actor said the Home Ministry and police needed to take strict action to tackle the law-and-order challenge and ensure that people across Mumbai and the country could live without fear.
“When we had a law-and-order situation way before this problem, the Home Ministry and the police have to start getting strict about it. You know, if you only give Z security to someone, the other person won’t be safe. You can save one person, but the rest of Mumbai is not safe,” he said.
Mahesh emphasised that the problem needed to be addressed comprehensively across the country rather than confined to Mumbai.
“You have to eradicate this problem completely from Bombay. Not only from Bombay, from all the states in India. Because this is a genuine problem. There should be no hooliganism,” he added.
The actor also highlighted the importance of allowing artists to move freely without constantly worrying about their safety. He said being a public figure should not mean sacrificing the freedom to lead a normal life.
“See, what happens is, everyone wants to live their life in their own way. If he wants to roam freely, he should be allowed to. Why not? You know, why should he always be private and not move? He should have the freedom. After all, he is a human being. You know, people watch his films. He is somebody with talent. But at the end of it, he is a citizen of India,” he said.
Mahesh further stressed that security should be a priority for all citizens, not just celebrities or wealthy individuals.
“If something happens to me or to you, everyone will suffer. We all are equal as citizens of India. And as security, we all need security. Not only the artists, not only the people who are wealthy. But everybody needs security. It’s a security issue,” he added.
Tiger Shroff was reportedly targeted in a firing incident on October 18 outside a football club near Pushpa Narsee Park in Mumbai’s Juhu area. The ‘Baaghi’ actor escaped unharmed, while his driver and an autorickshaw driver sustained injuries.
According to reports, three suspects were subsequently arrested in Kota, Rajasthan, in connection with the attack.