Love & War tragedy: FWICE seeks ₹50 lakh compensation for late technician, flags 16–20 hour shifts on film sets
The tragic death of a crew member on the sets of Love & War has once again sparked a debate over the working conditions in the Indian film industry. Following the incident, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has demanded ₹50 lakh compensation for the family of the deceased technician and called for urgent reforms to prevent similar tragedies.
What happened?
A technician working on the set of Love & War, the upcoming film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, reportedly lost his life after a major accident during the film’s production. The incident shocked members of the film fraternity and raised fresh concerns about on-set safety measures.
Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the accident, while production-related activities have come under increased scrutiny.
FWICE demands ₹50 lakh compensation
Reacting strongly to the incident, FWICE urged the film’s producers to provide ₹50 lakh as compensation to the family of the deceased technician. The workers’ body said that technicians often work in risky conditions and deserve better financial security and protection.
FWICE also emphasized that production houses should ensure adequate insurance coverage, emergency medical facilities, and strict adherence to workplace safety protocols.
Concern over 16–20 hour work shifts
Apart from the compensation demand, FWICE highlighted what it described as a long-standing issue in the industry—excessively long working hours.
According to the federation, technicians and crew members are frequently required to work 16 to 20-hour shifts, leading to severe physical exhaustion, mental stress, and increased risk of accidents. The organization argued that such schedules are unsafe and called for the implementation of fixed working hours with mandatory rest breaks.
Call for industry-wide reforms
FWICE has urged producers, filmmakers, and production companies to introduce stricter safety standards across film sets. Its key demands include:
- Limiting working hours to safer durations.
- Mandatory safety inspections before shoots.
- Better insurance and compensation policies for technicians.
- Emergency medical support on every film set.
- Strict accountability for violations of safety norms.
Production yet to issue detailed response
At the time of writing, the makers of Love & War have not released a detailed public statement addressing FWICE’s demands for compensation or the concerns regarding long work shifts. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and further updates are expected as authorities complete their inquiry.
The tragedy has reignited discussions about the welfare of behind-the-scenes workers, with many industry members calling for stronger labour protections to ensure that technicians and crew members can work in a safer environment.
