Mumbai: Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by an intruder inside his 12th floor apartment in upscale Bandra early Thursday in a shocking attack that raises intriguing questions about security, motive, and celebrity life.
Khan, 54, was “out of danger” following an emergency surgery, said the doctors at the Lilavati Hospital where he was rushed following the incident that took place around 2.30 am at his apartment in `Satguru Sharan’ building.
A 2.5-inch piece of knife was removed from his spine, the doctors said, adding he was on “100 percent recovery path”.
Police registered a case of `armed robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt’. The attacker fled using the building’s staircase, a senior police official said, adding that his CCTV visuals was traced on the sixth floor, and 10 teams have been formed to nab him.
Khan’s domestic help, who raised alarm first, also sustained a minor injury to her hand during the scuffle. She later lodged a police complaint.
Opposition leaders in Maharashtra said even celebrities were not safe in India’s financial capital, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, has failed to maintain law and order. Fadnavis, however, said the attack was a serious incident, but it would be wrong to call Mumbai unsafe because of it, and the police were taking action in the matter.
As per the preliminary probe, the intruder did not force his entry or break into the actor’s flat, but possibly sneaked in at some point during the night.
Khan’s domestic staff took him to Lilavati Hospital in an auto rickshaw after the incident. He was operated upon by a team of doctors led by neurosurgeon Dr Nitin Dange, cosmetic surgeon Dr Leena Jain and anaesthesiologist Dr Nisha Gandhi.
“He sustained six injuries, two are minor, two intermediate and two deep injuries, one of the injuries is on the back which is close to spine,” the hospital’s chief operating officer Dr Niraj Uttamani told PTI.
“Saif sustained a major injury to his thoracic spine due to a knife…..Surgery was performed to remove the knife and also to repair the leaking spinal fluid,” said Dr Dange.
“There were two other deep wounds in his left hand and right side of the neck which were repaired by the plastic surgery team.
Khan is completely stable now. He is in recovery mode and is completely out of danger,” Dr Dange added.
According to Dr Uttamani, the actor was “on 100 per cent recovery path as per our initial understanding.” “He has been shifted to the ICU. Maybe in a day or two he will be shifted to the (non-ICU) ward,” he added.
The actor’s representatives described the incident as an “attempted burglary”.
A First Information Report was registered at Bandra police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 311 (robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), 331 (4) (house break-in or trespass at night) and other relevant provisions.
Saif’s wife and actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, and some other members of the family were present in the house when the incident took place.
The son of actor Sharmila Tagore and late cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Saif Ali Khan is known for his performances in films like “Omkara”, “Dil Chahta Hai”, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” and “Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior”. He is also a recipient of the Padma Shri award.
Talking to reporters, Chief Minister Fadnavis asserted that Mumbai is a safe city. “I think Mumbai is the safest among mega cities in the country. It is true that some incidents take place sometimes, and they must be taken seriously. But to say that Mumbai is unsafe due to such incidents is not right,” he said.
“….But, to make the city safer, the government will certainly make efforts,” he added.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said the incident shows that the law and order situation was deteriorating in Maharashtra.
“Recently, a person was killed in the same area and now this incident. All these things are worrisome,” Pawar told reporters at Baramati. “The state government, especially the chief minister who holds charge of the home department, should pay attention to these things more seriously,” the former Maharashtra chief minister said.
In October last year, former state minister Baba Siddique was shot dead by three persons in Bandra area.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, “No one is safe. Let alone ordinary people, even celebrities who have their own security are not safe.”
Fadnavis had completely failed to maintain law and order, said Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe.
Prominent politicians including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Chiranjeevi, expressed shock over the attack on Saif Ali Khan.
“It’s very concerning to hear about the attack on noted actor Saif Ali Khan. I pray for his speedy recovery, trusting that the law will take its course and those responsible will be held accountable. My thoughts and prayers are with Sharmila Di, Kareena Kapoor, and the entire family during this difficult time,” Banerjee posted on X.
Kejriwal said, “Shocked to hear about the attack on Saif Ali Khan. Wishing him a speedy recovery and strength to his family during this difficult time.”
Celebrities and politicians express shock, question lawlessness in Mumbai
Film celebrities and politicians, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Chiranjeevi, expressed shock over the attack on Saif Ali Khan at his home in Mumbai with several others questioning lawlessness in the city.
The 54-year-old actor, who was injured after an intruder attacked him with a knife at around 2.30 am on Thursday at his Bandra home, was hospitalised and underwent surgery. He is out of danger, his representative said.
Banerjee and Kejriwal wished for the actor’s speedy recovery in their social media posts.
“It’s very concerning to hear about the attack on noted actor Saif Ali Khan. I pray for his speedy recovery, trusting that the law will take its course and those responsible will be held accountable. My thoughts and prayers are with Sharmila Di, Kareena Kapoor, and the entire family during this difficult time,” Banerjee posted on X.
Kejriwal said, “Shocked to hear about the attack on Saif Ali Khan. Wishing him a speedy recovery and strength to his family during this difficult time.”
Shiv Sena UBT leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the incident at Saif’s residence is another “high profile attempt on life” after the firing outside superstar Salman Khan’s home and the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique.
“The attack on Saif Ali Khan yet again raises questions on Mumbai Police & the Home Minister. This is after a series of incidents that show there is a deliberate attempt to undermine Mumbai by targeting big names…
“All in Bandra. An area which has the highest concentration of celebrities, which is supposed to have adequate security. If celebrities are not safe then who in Mumbai is?
Wishing Saif Ali Khan a speedy recovery,” she wrote on X.
Actor Pooja Bhatt tagged Mumbai Police in a post and questioned the “lawlessness” in the city, which is home to several celebrities as well as top industrialists.
“Can this lawlessness please be curbed @MumbaiPolice @CPMumbaiPolice We need more Police presence in Bandra. The city & especially the queen of the subburbs, have never felt so unsafe before,” she said.
Chiranjeevi wrote, “Deeply Disturbed by news of the attack by an intruder on #SaifAliKhan. Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery.”
Imtiaz Ali, the director of Saif’s 2009 movie “Love Aaj Kal”, shared a picture of the actor on Instagram Stories and wrote, “My brave brother.”
Parineeti Chopra said,”Get well soon Saif.”
Sonu Sood posted on X, “Saddened to hear about the unfortunate attack on Saif Ali Khan. My thoughts and prayers are with him for a swift recovery and a full return to health. Stay strong, brother. #SaifAliKhan”
Actor and BJP MP Ravi Kishan, who worked with Saif on films such as “Agent Vinod” and “Bullet Raja”, said the incident is saddening.
“He’s my friend and co-actor… Government and police administration is working to nab the culprits. The culprit will be caught soon, Mumbai police has a good reputation. He’ll be given strict punishment. Security of actors should be given importance. I pray to lord that Saif recovers soon,” Kishan told PTI.
South star Jr NTR, who recently shared screen space with Saif in Telugu hit “Devara”, said he was shocked and saddened to hear about the attack on Saif.
“Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery and good health,” he added.
Filmmaker Kunal Kohli, who directed Saif and Rani Mukerji’s 2004 hit “Hum Tum”, said the incident was scary. “Praying for Saif’s speedy recovery. #SaifAliKhan,” he wrote on X.
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh wrote, “My prayers with Saif sir and the entire family. This is very sad indeed !! May your bravery and love for your family be rewarded with healing, strength, and peace. Get well soon.”
The intruder fled from the spot following the incident which took place at Saif’s 12th floor house in Satguru Sharan building in Bandra area.
The actor’s representatives described the incident as an “attempted burglary” though police were yet to comment on it.
No person has been arrested so far, a senior police official said.
After Khan’s medical procedure, his team said the actor has come out of the surgery and is out of danger.
“He is currently in recovery and the doctors are monitoring his progress. All family members are safe and the police is investigating the incident,” the statement said.
