Death threats are no stranger to many of our film denizens; however there is no underestimating their power to terrify. The seemingly insulated, apparently perfect life of a star is occasionally shot through by a call that shatters the peace. From Salman Khan to Akshay Kumar to Kangana Ranaut, too many stars have had to face the threat of violent death…

Gangster Blues

2018: In the midst of Tiger Zinda Hai’s fabulous run at the box office, news that slammed the brakes on the excitement: Tiger was in danger and not just onscreen. While in court, dreaded gangster Lawrence Bishnoi had vowed to kill Salman, as purported payback for the Blackbuck killings. The arrival of three armed men on the sets of Race 3 saw the police racing in to halt shooting and escort Salman home. He has been advised to take utmost caution.

Medieval Punishment

2017: Acting on the belief that there is a romantic dream sequence in the then-Padmavati, fringe Rajput groups issued death threats to the leading lady, Deepika Padukone. Besides threatening to cut off her nose, they also offered a reward of Rs.1 crore for anyone burning her alive. Deepika had earlier bemoaned the situation, declaring, “It’s absolutely appalling. What have we gotten ourselves into? And where have we reached as a nation?”

Mob Violence

2017: Sanjay Leela Bhansali had to be accorded around the clock police protection after radical groups threatened to behead him for supposedly misinterpreting history and tampering with Rajput honour in his period film, then titled Padmavati. The noted filmmaker had already been attacked earlier last year while filming in Jaipur.

Don’t, or…

2014: Shah Rukh allegedly received a dreaded call from underworld don Ravi Pujari. Before the release of Happy New Year, a note was found at the shooing location which threatened, “SRK will be the next target.” This was followed by a call at the star’s office warning him not to work with his producer friends - brothers Ali and Karim Morani. The star reportedly bought a bombproof car soon after.

Shower of Bullets

2017: Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt received threatening calls from a person claiming to be a gang leader. The demand: Rs.50 lakh, failing which the caller threatened to “fire several rounds of bullets into Alia and Soni.” Police later arrested one person in connection with the extortion. Bhatt later shared, “A bolt from the blue in the form of an extortion call & threat to my family was nipped in the bud by the MH & UP police in tandem. Gratitude!”

Dreaded Designs

2013: Akshay Kumar received death threats over the phone from a man, who claimed to be fugitive gangster Ravi Pujari. The caller threatened the actor in connection with the sacking of his domestic help. The call might have also been an extortion attempt. After Akshay was warned of dire consequences by the underworld, he was provided around the clock police security.

Danger Warnings

2012: When Aamir Khan became the third person to acquire a bullet-proof car costing Rs.10 crore after then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and industrialist Mukesh Ambani, it was far from being an ego-massager. Word has it that the actor had received serious death threats after the first season of ‘Satyamev Jayate’ had been aired.

Stay Away

2013: Facing death threats for her role in Dirty Politics, based on Bhanwari Devi, Mallika Sherawat had to resort to moving around in a burqa to avoid recognition. Sherawat and her brother had received calls warning the actress to stay away from doing the contentious film on the death of a nurse, in whose connection almost 17 people, including a former Rajasthan Minister, were named.

Corrosive Message

2007: After Kangana Ranaut’s sister Rangoli was attacked by a stalker who threw acid on her, the actress also lodged a complaint stating that she was receiving death threats from the same person.

Terror Threats

2017: Ayesha Takia had received extortion calls from the underworld back in 2011. Six years later, death threats returned for Takia and her husband Farhan Azmi, son of Maharashtra Samajwadi Party youth president Abu Farhan Azmi. An FIR was filed against a Rajasthan Hindu activists group who threatened to plant bombs in their vehicles, houses and offices.

Money Calls

2016: Death threats from an unknown number saw security for filmmaker Karan Johar increased by the police. Johar had allegedly received a call from underworld don Abu Salem to stop the release of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

They meant business

2004: Death threats converted into an actual attack for Rakesh Roshan. An attempt to kill the filmmaker was made in 2000 when he was shot at by two men outside his office in Santacruz. He survived the attack. A few years later in 2004, Roshan again received death threats from the underworld.

Blame Game

2013: Filmmaker Boney Kapoor received death threats, reportedly from the Ravi Pujari gang. The caller blamed the filmmaker for the arrest of two of Pujari’s gang members.

Curbing Freedom

2013: Filmmaker Ramgopal Varma had been threatened by the underworld to omit some lines from his gangster film Satya 2. He also received death threats when his Rakta Charitra went on the floors, for his negative portrayal of one of the film’s characters.