The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) on Friday wrote to Mumbai police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar to seek security for actor Saif Ali Khan. The commissioner’s office in turn directed this request to the DCP protection and security branch, which is responsible for providing security to govt officials, magistrates, VIPs, bureaucrats and prominent personalities.
The DCP’s protection office said it would assess the situation after collecting information from local police, the crime branch and the special branch. “These departments will consult with the actor’s family and investigate any previous unreported incidents or threats. The decision to assign police security will be based on this comprehensive review,” said a police officer from the protection branch.
The officer said so far the actor and his family have not approached them with the request. However, the protection branch has got the instruction from the commissioner to conduct an audit and gather reviews. “Based on the reports from the local police and other departments the Mumbai police commissioner will decide on providing police security to the actor. If provided, one head constable will be on morning shift while the other on night,” said the officer.
FWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit told TOI: “The stabbing incident shook the whole industry.” Mumbai police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar did not respond to calls and messages.
The protection branch has allocated security detail to film actors. Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kuma and Govinda. Each receives protection from two head constables, with one of the four departments handling the arrangements.