Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan continued his decades-old tradition of meeting fans outside his Mumbai residence, Jalsa, on Sunday, November 1. However, this week’s appearance was different as the 84-year-old actor greeted hundreds of admirers from behind a 12-foot-tall transparent bulletproof glass enclosure. His son, Abhishek Bachchan, was also present, keeping a close watch on the security arrangements as the veteran actor waved to the crowd.
The unusual arrangement comes amid heightened security concerns following a bomb threat email that reportedly named Amitabh’s Juhu residence as a potential target. The development has also drawn attention to a recent firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai, which raised fresh concerns about the safety of Bollywood celebrities.
Videos of Amitabh’s Sunday appearance quickly circulated on social media. The actor was seen standing inside a transparent protective enclosure installed around his elevated platform, acknowledging fans with his familiar wave and folded hands. Security personnel were deployed around Jalsa, while barricades helped manage the gathering outside the property.
Despite the additional precautions, Amitabh made sure not to disappoint the admirers who had assembled to catch a glimpse of him. Abhishek remained close to his father throughout the interaction, monitoring the surroundings and the security arrangements.
Bomb threat email names Amitabh’s Jalsa residence
The security measures follow a threatening email received at the office of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on October 23. The email reportedly mentioned several potential targets, including the mayor’s office at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, Amitabh Bachchan’s residence Jalsa and the venue of singer Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming Mumbai concert.
According to police, the email was also marked to Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi. It warned of a possible grenade attack on a school on October 31 and threatened to target Amitabh’s Juhu bungalow between October 31 and November 27.
The message also referred to Khalistan and claimed that an attack would take place during Diljit Dosanjh’s concert at Mahalaxmi Racecourse on November 27. Another threat mentioned a blast at the mayor’s office at 3.11 pm.
The Mumbai Police and security agencies immediately began investigating the communication. A detailed search was conducted at the BMC headquarters, but officials found nothing suspicious. Security and surveillance were subsequently increased at the locations mentioned in the email, including the mayor’s office, educational institutions and the concert venue.
Authorities are investigating the authenticity of the threat, attempting to trace its origin and identify the sender. The threats have not been established as credible attacks, but precautionary security measures remain important.
Tiger Shroff firing incident raises alarm
The additional security around Amitabh’s residence also comes against the backdrop of the October 18 firing incident involving Tiger Shroff.
Two unidentified attackers reportedly opened fire at the actor’s vehicle in Mumbai’s Juhu area. Tiger escaped relatively unharmed, although his driver and a bystander sustained injuries in the incident.
The shooting triggered concern across the film industry, particularly because it happened in an area where several prominent Bollywood personalities reside.
Reports that emerged after the incident suggested that the attackers had also visited the residences of Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan but could not carry out an attack because of the security arrangements at their properties. These claims have added to concerns about celebrity safety, although the reported visits should not be treated as independently established facts.
The firing incident and the subsequent bomb threat have brought renewed attention to security arrangements around celebrity homes in Mumbai. The protective enclosure at Jalsa is among the visible precautions introduced during this period.
Amitabh’s 42-year-old Sunday tradition continues
Amitabh’s Sunday Darshan is one of the most recognisable traditions associated with the Bollywood superstar. For more than 42 years, fans have gathered outside Jalsa every Sunday to catch a glimpse of the actor.
Some admirers travel long distances to attend the weekly gathering, while others have made it a regular part of their Sunday routine. Over the years, the interaction has become a special connection between Amitabh and generations of fans who have followed his career.
The actor has generally continued the tradition despite his busy professional commitments. This week’s appearance showed that he was determined to maintain the connection, even with additional security measures in place.
Abhishek’s presence also attracted attention on social media, with fans noticing how closely he stayed beside his father during the interaction.
Amitabh clarifies remarks on social media
Separately, Amitabh expressed displeasure over media reports that allegedly misinterpreted his remarks following the Sunday fan meeting. Taking to his blog and X, the actor clarified that his devotional chant, ‘Hathi Ghoda Palki, Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki’, was a traditional invocation to Lord Krishna and not a challenge directed at his critics.
He accused sections of the media of taking his words out of context and presenting the devotional expression as a statement about confronting his opponents. He also questioned the lack of accountability in reporting and said religious sentiments should not be misrepresented.
The actor referred to his large social media following, saying that a section of his 50-million-strong follower base would respond if given a signal. His clarification was aimed at explaining the context of his devotional message, which he said had been distorted in some reports.
On the professional front, Amitabh is currently hosting the 18th season of the popular television quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati. He was last seen on the big screen in Nag Ashwin’s science-fiction film Kalki 2898 AD.
