Bollywood on Thursday reacted with shock and disbelief over terror strikes in Mumbai overnight and appealed to the people to stick together in times of crisis. As the grim situation prevailed, the Maharashtra government issued an order directing managements of both single screen theatres and multiplexes to suspend the screening of movies until further orders as a security measure.
"We have decided to close the industry for a day as a mark of tribute to those innocent people who died due to indiscriminate firings by the terrorists and to the police officers and constables who fell to their bullets during the shootout. We condemn the heinous act," a joint statement issued by all the associations of the film industry said. Aindianews.com Bollywood celebrities have expressed their pain and grief over the plight of the mourning Mumbai.
A shaken Amitabh Bachchan writes on his blog: Mumbai under terrorist attack!! Several locations bombed and terrorist firing all over the city. Major hotels under siege. Taj hotel battle going on inside the hotel. Terrible! terrible situation!
A devastated Sharmila Tagore says: I am from Mumbai. I've been here for so long that it was really devastating to see all that is happening in the city. There seems to be no near end to these terror activities.
I don't understand how did the terrorists manage to take so much RDX inside the hotel? Only day before yesterday (Tuesday) I was at the Taj Hotel, even our Aviation Minister Praful Patel was there and there was so much security. My bag was properly checked. How did things became so bad?
An angry and hurt Farooq Sheikh says: It’s very disturbing. It is hurtful to see the common man bear the brunt of such terror strikes every time. Nothing happens to the politicians. They don’t have to pay for it. It’s always the common man who has to lose his relatives, his loved ones to such terrifying attacks.
A concerned Shefali Chhaya says: Terrorists come with a thought process of do or die, and there’s no back up system in our country. It’s extremely disturbing. Every time we hear the politicians talking of the spirit of the citizens, the spirit of Mumbai, but such terror attacks definitely put a dent to each person emotionally.
A worried brother Ashish Chaudhary says: My sister Monica and her husband have been inside the hotel along with maybe 40 other hostages. They came here for dinner last night, but now they are not answering any calls. My parents have been here since last night and when we last heard from them, they told us that they have seen two terrorists and have heard a lot of gun shots. I didn't come at night fearing there will be panic, but since morning I have been standing here, waiting for them to be released. I hope my sister and brother in law are safe inside, and wish the same for everyone.
A concerned Javed Jaffery says: I'm genuinely worried about this. I'm disturbed because this seems to be never ending as nothing is being done about it. I have come here (one of the attacked locations) to see as to what can we do to rescue the country out of a terrifying situation like this.
A terrified director Anurag Kashyap says: I am scared! shocked! I don't have words to describe my feelings. It seems unreal to me, almost like a film. I don't know who are they and why they have resorted to such ruthlessness. They just enter the city like that and hold it hostage. It is unbelievable. Obviously Mumbai will bounce back but it has been hurt badly and it will take time to heal.
A disturbed filmmaker Kaushik Ghatak says: The situation in Mumbai is “unfortunate”. I know we can't do anything about it but it is still very disturbing. So many people have been killed. So many able officers have also been killed. This is a big loss for the country. The industry will definitely be affected. As it is, so many producers are planning to set up their studios outside Mumbai. Even though no place is safe at the moment, repeated attacks are making the city even more unsafe.
A bothered Raja Chowdhary says: Terrorists can't see people happy. Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city and it is a very happening city. I think they need psychiatric treatment," he said.
The most audacious terror strike in the city began Wednesday night, when militants attacked high profile landmarks in the city, including the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, the Metro Theatre and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station. Bollywood insiders feel that if attacks would continue like this, people will refuse to shoot in Mumbai and would prefer going out for entire shooting schedules.