Investigators are examining the suspects' movements
The shooting attempt involving Tiger Shroff in Mumbai has raised fresh concerns about the safety of Bollywood stars.
This comes after investigators reportedly uncovered allegations that the attackers had initially considered targeting other high-profile actors.
Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan were allegedly surveyed before the suspects turned their attention to Shroff, who escaped the October 18, 2026, incident unharmed.
The reports have heightened fears that the attack could be part of a wider campaign of intimidation against Bollywood, particularly amid repeated threats attributed to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
With security reportedly tightened around several celebrities, questions are mounting over who could be targeted next and whether the industry can adequately protect its biggest names.
Who was the Original Target?
The investigation has increasingly focused on whether Salman Khan was the intended target before the attackers allegedly switched their attention to Shroff.
According to Hindustan Times, Mumbai Police sources said the suspects had conducted reconnaissance outside Khan’s Bandra residence but were deterred by the stringent security arrangements.
They allegedly turned to Shroff after learning about his regular Sunday football sessions in Juhu, which investigators believe may have made his movements easier to anticipate.
Other reports have named Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan among the celebrities whose residences the suspects allegedly visited while in Mumbai.
It was reported that Salman Khan was also named.
Investigators are examining the suspects’ movements to establish whether these visits formed part of a wider target-selection exercise or were connected directly to the shooting.
Visiting a celebrity’s residence does not, by itself, establish that the individual was explicitly targeted.
Although the reports suggest that security arrangements influenced the alleged change of target, the investigation must establish the precise roles of those involved and the extent of the conspiracy.
The incident occurred at approximately 7 pm on October 18, when gunmen opened fire at Tiger Shroff’s car as he left a football ground in Juhu.
Shroff escaped without gunshot injuries, while his driver and another person were reported injured. Three initial suspects were arrested in Kota, Rajasthan, and brought to Mumbai for questioning.
The investigation has since expanded.
The Times of India reported on October 22 that Mumbai Crime Branch had arrested three additional suspects, bringing the total number of arrests to 10.
Investigators were also examining the alleged role of wanted Lawrence Bishnoi gang associate Shubham Lonkar in orchestrating the attack.
These remain allegations under investigation, rather than proof of the responsibility of every person named.
Who Could Be the Next Bollywood Target?
The most explicit warning following the shooting came from a social media message attributed to associates of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The message claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened people who continued to work with or support Salman Khan.
The post said: “Anyone in the Mumbai film industry who does not listen to us or works with Salman Khan will be next. Wait and watch.”
Salman therefore remains central to the security concerns surrounding the case, given the history of threats against him.
The actor has previously faced a shooting incident outside his Bandra home in April 2024, which was also linked by investigators to the Bishnoi gang.
The apparent threat raises concerns not only for Khan but also for colleagues and associates who might be named or perceived as connected to him.
The reported visits to the homes of Bachchan, Kumar and Aamir Khan have also drawn attention to their safety.
However, there is currently insufficient evidence to identify any of them as an intended target.
The same caution applies to other prominent figures in the industry, including Ranveer Singh and filmmaker Rohit Shetty, who have reportedly faced threats or security incidents in recent years.
Security measures have reportedly been strengthened around several celebrities following the attempted shooting on Tiger Shroff.
According to reports, police patrols have increased outside Aamir Khan’s Bandra residence and Rohit Shetty’s Juhu home, while additional security has been reported outside the homes of Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar.
Kumar is also reportedly installing a bulletproof glass shield at his residence.
These precautions underline the seriousness with which the threat is being treated, but they do not establish that any particular celebrity faces an imminent attack.
The priority for investigators is to determine whether the shooting was part of a broader plan, verify the alleged gang links and identify any further intended targets.
The Wider Threat to Bollywood
The shooting has renewed scrutiny of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s alleged capacity to intimidate prominent figures despite the incarceration of its leader.
Lawrence Bishnoi has been held in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Jail, while his brother Anmol Bishnoi was deported from the United States to India in November 2025 and subsequently held in custody in India.
Their detention has raised questions about how alleged associates could continue to organise threats and violent incidents.
The gang has previously been linked by investigators to the April 2024 shooting outside Salman Khan’s residence and the October 2024 murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique.
Siddique’s killing drew further attention to the risks faced by people associated with the actor.
The gang has also been linked to threats against other entertainment figures, although each incident must be assessed on its own evidence rather than assumed to be part of a single, proven operation.
For Bollywood, the latest shooting raises concerns about the impact of organised intimidation on actors, filmmakers, production teams and others working in the industry.
High-profile celebrities can employ private security and seek police protection, but the alleged surveillance of residences and the targeting of predictable routines illustrate the challenges of protecting public figures beyond their homes.
The central question is whether investigators can establish the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and prevent further violence.
Until the police verify the reported target-selection process and assess the credibility of the threats, naming a particular actor as the next likely victim would be speculation.
For now, the Tiger Shroff shooting serves as a serious warning about the security risks facing Bollywood, but the investigation must determine whether the alleged reconnaissance of other celebrities was part of a wider plan.
The safety of those named in reports remains a legitimate concern, while the identity of any potential next target remains unconfirmed.
