Security concerns have once again gripped the Hindi film industry as renowned filmmaker Rohit Shetty has allegedly received a chilling death threat. On Saturday, June 27, 2026, the filmmaker’s office staff discovered a 90-second audio clip that demanded a ransom of ₹20 crore, threatening “serious consequences” should the demand go unmet.
The threat, which has been linked to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, comes just four months after a targeted firing incident took place outside the director’s Juhu residence, sparking widespread alarm regarding the safety of prominent Bollywood figures.
According to reports from the Mumbai Crime Branch, the audio clip contains a direct and violent warning for the director. The caller, allegedly identified as the fugitive mobster Shubham Lonkar—a close lieutenant of the incarcerated gang lord Lawrence Bishnoi—stated that the previous firing incident in February 2026 was merely a “trailer.”
The audio message explicitly warns that if the extortion demand of ₹20 crore is ignored, this time the attackers will target the filmmaker himself rather than his property. “The bullets will not miss their mark if the demands are ignored,” the message reportedly stated, marking a significant escalation in the intimidation tactics being deployed against the director.
The Mumbai Police have responded swiftly to the situation. Rohit Shetty’s team filed a formal criminal complaint immediately after discovering the threat, prompting the Mumbai Crime Branch and the local Juhu authorities to mobilize their specialized anti-extortion wings.
Preliminary forensic analysis of the audio recording has led investigators to suspect that the voice belongs to Shubham Lonkar. Lonkar is already a high-profile fugitive wanted by federal agencies for his alleged role in the October 2024 killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique, as well as the February 2026 firing outside Shetty’s own home. The audio clip has been sent to a forensic laboratory for definitive authentication as the investigation continues.
This threat follows a series of similar incidents that have plagued the Bollywood fraternity, including the infamous firing incident at actor Salman Khan’s residence in 2024. In the February 1, 2026, attack on Rohit Shetty’s home near Hasya Kalakar Mehmood Chowk, five bullets were fired by a bike-borne assailant named Deepak Sharma. Sharma was later apprehended by police in Agra, and subsequent investigations led to a massive 1,624-page charge sheet naming 15 individuals involved in the conspiracy.
Authorities believe these repeated threats are a calculated attempt by the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate to assert dominance and intimidate the Hindi film industry.
Despite the mounting security challenges, Rohit Shetty remains focused on his high-profile professional slate. The filmmaker is currently in the middle of a busy production schedule, which includes:
- Golmaal 5: The highly anticipated next installment of his blockbuster comedy franchise, expected to release in 2027.
- Rakesh Maria Biopic: A new, untitled action film featuring John Abraham, based on the life of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria.
- Khatron Ke Khiladi 15: Rohit Shetty is currently filming the latest season of the reality show, which is set to premiere on July 25, 2026, on Colors TV and JioHotstar.
As the Mumbai Police tighten security around the filmmaker and his professional commitments, the film fraternity continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping for a swift breakthrough in the investigation against the Bishnoi gang’s offshore leadership.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the incident or the whereabouts of the suspects to contact the Mumbai Crime Branch immediately.
