Bollywood film crew stricken with food poisoning in Leh, over a hundred personnel hospitalized
In a shocking turn of events, over 100 crew members of a Bollywood film unit, currently shooting the movie Dhurandhar in Leh, Ladakh, were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning. The affected workers showed symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and headache after consuming food at the film location near Patthar Sahib [1][2][3][4].
The suspected cause of the incident appears linked to food contamination, with local authorities confirming a broader contamination issue affecting the region at the time [4]. It's important to note that this incident does not seem to be a result of negligence or cost-cutting by the film production.
This incident highlights challenges in maintaining safety standards at large-scale shooting locations in sensitive and remote regions like Leh.
- Logistical Difficulties: Remote, high-altitude locations have limited infrastructure for safe food preparation and storage.
- Food Supply Chain Risks: Relying on local vendors in such areas can introduce risks of contamination.
- Large Crew Size: With around 600 people dining on set, quality control and hygiene must be tightly managed to prevent mass poisoning.
- Emergency Preparedness: Prompt hospital response and emergency services activation managed the crisis effectively.
- Ongoing Precautions: Following the incident, the film’s production implemented stricter supplier checks and enhanced safety measures before resuming shooting [1][4].
Given that Leh and surrounding regions are increasingly popular filming locations due to their scenic appeal, ensuring rigorous health, hygiene, and safety protocols—especially related to catering and food services—is crucial to prevent such incidents at future productions. This includes regular inspections, safe sourcing of food, training for food handlers, and emergency response planning tailored to sensitive remote environments.
Authorities are awaiting laboratory reports to fix accountability for the incident, and food samples have been collected for detailed analysis to identify the cause of the food poisoning [4]. The hospital managed the patient rush effectively, and most of the patients have been discharged after receiving necessary treatment [1][2][3].
The Ladakh region, known for its barren, rugged mountains and difficult topography, has been a popular location for Bollywood films. Movies such as 3 Idiots, Haqeeqat, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Dil Se, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, and Lakshya have been shot in the rugged locales of Ladakh [5].
It is unclear if any prominent Bollywood stars were among those affected by the food poisoning incident. Meanwhile, no further updates are provided about the incident involving Kseniya Alexandrova, a Miss Universe 2017 contestant, who passed away after an elk smashed through her windshield [6].
References:
- The Indian Express
- NDTV
- Hindustan Times
- The Times of India
- Bollywood Hungama
- The Hindu
