The recent death of a worker after he suffered an electric shock on the sets of romantic drama Love & War has once again brought the spotlight on safety standards in India's film industry, with legal experts pointing out that the country still lacks a dedicated Film Set Safety Act.
Film shoots are currently governed by a patchwork of general criminal law, labour and fire safety laws, municipal regulations, and conditions attached to shooting permits. Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may extend to the producer, production company, line producer, contractors, safety personnel and, in appropriate cases, even the director, if there is evidence linking their conduct to the safety lapse.
Experts say the industry now needs to move from reactive compensation to preventive compliance. Every production involving hazardous activities should have mandatory written risk assessments, certified safety professionals, emergency medical protocols, documented safety briefings, adequate insurance coverage, and independent compliance audits before high-risk scenes are executed.
"India does not have a dedicated Film Set Safety Act. In cases involving an on-set death or damage, producers and project owners typically argue that safety was entrusted to qualified third-party agencies and that all necessary precautions and permits were in place. In other words, the incident was a tragic accident rather than the result of negligence," said Aishwarya Kaushiq, partner at BTG Advaya.
Common hazards
The Indian entertainment industry has evolved rapidly in terms of production value, but legal compliance on safety standards has not kept pace, agreed Sonam Chandwani, managing partner, KS Legal & Associates.
The most common hazards on film sets arise during action sequences, construction of temporary sets, electrical installations, pyrotechnics, crowd management, and prolonged working hours leading to fatigue.
Many accidents are not merely unfortunate events but are often the consequence of inadequate risk assessment, absence of qualified safety supervisors, or failure to enforce standard operating procedures, Chandwani added.
Who is liable?
Where a serious injury or fatality occurs, liability is rarely confined to one individual.
Depending on the facts, criminal and civil responsibility may extend to the producer, production house, line producer, contractor, stunt coordinator, safety officer, or any person entrusted with operational control who failed to discharge a legal duty of care.
If negligence is established, offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to causing death or grievous hurt by negligent acts may arise. Where labour welfare obligations or contractual safety obligations have been ignored, additional statutory consequences may also follow.
The law examines who had control over the activity, whether foreseeable risks existed, and whether reasonable precautions were deliberately ignored.
To be sure, legal remedies in such cases include both civil and criminal action.
Germaine Pereira, partner at Solomon & Co, said a seriously injured artist or crew member—or the legal heirs of a deceased worker—can pursue a civil suit for damages against the production company, stunt contractor, studio owner and others by arguing negligence or strict liability.
In several cases, police have registered FIRs naming directors, producers and stunt managers as accused for negligence causing death or injury.
Prevention first
The larger lesson, however, is that accountability cannot begin only after a tragedy.
The industry must prioritize robust safety protocols, independent safety supervision, proper risk assessments, reasonable working hours and regular safety audits. Workplace safety is not merely a best practice; it is a legal and ethical responsibility, according to Ketan Mukhija, partner and co-head, PE (private equity) and VC (venture capital), Kochhar & Co.
"There should be clear and non-negotiable emphasis on safety protocols. Whether it is safety gear for stuntmen, standardized safety guidelines during action sequences or crowd scenes, we cannot afford to overlook any detail. There should always be a medical team on hand and inspectors who carry out daily checks of equipment, heavy machinery, wiring, and structural stability before any shooting begins," film producer Anand Pandit said.
A comprehensive group insurance policy can also make every member of the cast and crew feel valued and safe, Pandit added.