The shootout outside Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow has sent shock waves among celebrities who rely on private security agencies for protection.
While a select few - like Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Yash Chopra, Mahesh Bhatt, Feroz Nadiadwala and Ram Gopal Varma — receive police protection, most rely on private guards to fend off fans - and fanatics.
Interestingly, SRK has police cover when he steps out, but relies on private cover at home.
However, Diwan Rahul Nanda of Tops Grup, the agency that provides guards for SRK’s residence, does not think so. “We continue to provide security at Shah Rukh Khan’s house. Whatever happened was unfortunate, but you can’t blame the company for the actions of an individual.”
Nanda, whose agency till recently provided security to Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan and the Deols, adds that security for the building where the Roshans live was also in his charge.
Rakesh Roshan, currently in Nairobi, was unaware of the incident. “We don’t have any personal security. The same concern looks after security in our building but we never had problems.”
Nanda nevertheless does plan a rethink on arming guards. “We will think twice before providing guns to our guards.” Pop singer Mika feels every celebrity has to take care of his own security. “For my shows around the country, I hire 25 guards, besides my personal bodyguard Tiger,” he says, adding, “In the US, I hire security from a Houston firm.”
Most of our stars would agree. Post-Murder, Mallika Sherawat hired professional security guards. And there is Sheru, Salman Khan’s bodyguard. Madhur Bhandarkar, whose police cover was recently lifted, says, “I was given security after threatening calls, but later I asked for it to be lifted.” But there are some exceptions. One such is Aishwarya Rai. “She is an honorary director in the Sahara group and the company provides her security,” says her secretary Hari Singh.
{{/usCountry}}Most of our stars would agree. Post-Murder, Mallika Sherawat hired professional security guards. And there is Sheru, Salman Khan’s bodyguard. Madhur Bhandarkar, whose police cover was recently lifted, says, “I was given security after threatening calls, but later I asked for it to be lifted.” But there are some exceptions. One such is Aishwarya Rai. “She is an honorary director in the Sahara group and the company provides her security,” says her secretary Hari Singh.
{{/usCountry}}And Preity Zinta. She is seen with her cousin who also doubles up as her bodyguard. Then, of course, there is Ness Wadia.