Celebrities run for cover post 26/11 attacks
Celebrities with private bodyguards and police personnel in tow are not an uncommon sight in Mumbai, and post-26 /11, private security agencies are being inundated with requests to provide cover.
By Bharati Dubey, TNN |
MUMBAI: Celebrities with private bodyguards and police personnel in tow are not an uncommon sight in Mumbai, and post-26 /11, private security agencies are being inundated with requests from producers , directors, studios and actors to provide cover for themselves and their families.
Such security services for filmstars, like the one provided by actor Ronit Roystarted 11 years ago���have become the norm rather than the exception . Said Ronit Roy, who���s company takes care of the security needs of Bollywood���s A-listers : ���I cannot divulge any names to you as the security of the lives of our clients is in our hands. All information is classified.������
Some celebrities and businessmen such as Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Ambani are also provided with X, Y, or Z-level cover by the government. For instance, Bachchan has been provided with a high category police security. A police van always trails the actor whenever he attends a public event.
At other times, four policemen are stationed outside his house. He���s one of the few actors who gets police security in any state he chooses to visit. But if that���s not enough, he has enlisted the services of a private agency: four bodyguards follow him everywhere.
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After the terror strike, security around the Bachchan���s house has been upgraded . His son Abhishek and daughter-in-law , Aishwarya, however , are not entitled to government security, and the couple has opted for private cover. It���s a similar scene at actor Shah Rukh Khan���s house, with a police van stationed outside almost through the day. Two policemen are also stationed at the front gate, while two private security guards cover the rear gate of his house. But it���s the 6ft 3 inches tall Yasin, Khan���s personal bodyguard who is the most visible.
Industrialist Anil Ambani and his family was provided with security cover after he began receiving threatening calls in 2005. He had apprised the then union home minister Shivraj Patil about the threats following which he was promptly provided with Y-level security. He also receives protection from private security personnel hired by his company.
But it was Aamir Khan who actually opened the eyes of the film industry to the benefits of having a 24/7 private security guard, at the time Lagaan was launched. Said a guard, ��� It���s a tough job handling Aamir Khan; there are times we don���t get a break for 24 hours, but the actor takes good care of us. We never had a reason to complain.������
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Among the women, Mallika Sherawat and Celina Jaitley have personal security guards, but most of the actresses refrain from hiring personal security guards. A spokesperson for Bipasha Basu said, ���It is the organisers of events, and producers who provide the actor with security whenever required.������ A police van trails Amitabh Bachchan whenever he attends a public event At other times, four policemen are stationed outside his house He has hired the services of a private agency, where four bodyguards follow him everywhere.(Inputs from Somit Sen)
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