All Indian Cine Workers Association urges Centre to act after attack on Kapil Sharma’s cafe in Canada

Mumbai: Amid back-to-back gunfire on comedian Kapil Sharma’s cafe in Canada, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), the body of artists and workers of the entertainment industry, has appealed to the Centre and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene.

The outlet, Kap’s Cafe, located at 85 Avenue and Scott Road, in Surrey, was attacked twice, since its grand opening early July.

AICWA President Suresh Shyamlal Gupta demanded that there should be zero tolerance towards gangsterism and strong protective measures for Indian film personalities across the world.

“This is not just an attack on a comedian or a property – this is a calculated assault on the Indian film industry, its freedom, and its dignity. It is evident that certain criminal elements are attempting to revive the dark era of the 1990s, when the Indian film industry was held hostage by underworld syndicates, extortion rackets, and constant fear. Once again, Bollywood and Indian film personalities are being targeted one after another – a dangerous trend aimed at spreading terror and re-establishing gangster control through violence and intimidation,” said Gupta.

“First it was Salman Khan, then Baba Siddique, followed by Saif Ali Khan, and now Kapil Sharma. Who’s next? That’s the alarming question echoing throughout the Indian film fraternity. This ongoing pattern of violence clearly indicates a deliberate campaign to terrorise artists, suppress creative freedom, and destabilize India’s cultural backbone – the film industry,” said Gupta expressing concern over the emerging situation.

In his request to Shah, he urged the Home Ministry to initiate high-level diplomatic engagement with the Prime Minister of Canada to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad, especially celebrities like Kapil Sharma.

“AICWA requests that central investigative and security agencies extend full support and coordination to Kapil Sharma, and work jointly with Canadian authorities to bring the culprits to justice. We further appeal to Canadian law enforcement to act swiftly in investigating the incident and providing a foolproof security framework for Kapil Sharma and his team,” he said.

“This is not just about Kapil Sharma. This concerns the millions of livelihoods dependent on the Indian film industry – technicians, junior artists, daily wage workers, producers, and content creators – all of whom deserve to work in an atmosphere free from threats and violence,” added Gupta.