A new angle has emerged in the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s car, with preliminary interrogation of the arrested accused reportedly suggesting that the actor was not their original target and that they had initially planned to attack another prominent Bollywood personality.
According to Mumbai Police sources, the accused had travelled to the city with the intention of targeting another celebrity. However, after allegedly finding it difficult to reach their intended target, they shifted their focus to Shroff.
Investigators have reportedly found that the accused monitored Instagram reels uploaded by the actor’s fans to gather information about his security arrangements. The videos allegedly suggested that the 36-year-old actor was not routinely accompanied by police personnel, prompting the accused to consider him an easier target.
Sources further claimed that the accused wanted to kill the actor to spread fear in the Bollywood industry. They allegedly conducted reconnaissance by tracking Shroff’s movements through his Instagram account and posts and videos shared by his fans.
The firing occurred on a busy Sunday evening and was captured on video. Shroff, the son of veteran actor Jackie Shroff, escaped without serious injury. However, his driver and a bystander sustained injuries.
According to Mumbai Police, five to six rounds were fired at the actor’s car. A motorcycle allegedly used by the shooters was later recovered in an abandoned condition in Andheri.
Following the attack, the accused reportedly fled to Surat in Gujarat and boarded a train bound for Jaipur. They allegedly planned to travel to New Delhi by bus before escaping to Nepal. However, Mumbai Police arrested three accused at Kota railway station in Rajasthan.
Two of the arrested accused have been identified as Ritik, alias Roshan, from Begusarai in Bihar, and Rehan from Sonipat in Haryana.
Police have registered a case involving charges of attempted murder and relevant provisions of the Arms Act. Investigators are also probing possible links between the accused and organised criminal networks.
According to police sources, Rehan was in contact with Anil Pandit, an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The gang claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media post whose authenticity has not been independently established.
Meanwhile, a purported audio clip allegedly featuring Pandit, described as a 32-year-old US-based gangster from Panipat, has circulated widely on media platforms. In the recording, the speaker allegedly claims that Shroff was targeted for ignoring warnings against working with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.
The authenticity of the audio clip remains unverified. Police are continuing to question the arrested accused to establish the motive, identify the originally intended target and determine whether a wider conspiracy was involved.