Mumbai: In a dramatic turn of events just weeks before the highly anticipated release of Dhurandhar: The Revenge (Dhurandhar 2), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cracked the whip on director Aditya Dhar’s production house, B62 Studios. Accusing the makers of repeated and blatant safety violations during a late-night shoot in South Mumbai, the civic body has moved to permanently blacklist the studio from seeking future filming permissions in the city .
This decision not only puts a cloud over the promotions of one of the year’s biggest sequels but also serves as a massive setback for the production team, which now faces a hefty fine and a potential ban from Mumbai’s single-window filming portal.
The Controversy: What Went Wrong on the Sets of ‘Dhurandhar 2’?
According to official statements from the BMC’s A-Ward office and reports from multiple news outlets including The Times of India and Hindustan Times, the violations occurred in the high-security Fort area, a heritage precinct in South Mumbai .
The production team had received conditional permission to shoot between 12:30 AM and 4:00 AM on February 14, 2026. The permissions came with strict riders—chief among them being a complete prohibition on the use of flammable materials, crackers, or lit torches (mashals) given the nature of the location and public safety concerns .
However, trouble began when Mumbai Police received a complaint around 12:45 AM about the use of fire on set. Upon reaching the spot, officials discovered five lit torches being used for the shoot. The police immediately seized the torches and issued a verbal warning to the crew .
Officials noted that this was not a first-time oversight but a “repeated violation.” Earlier, during a shoot on February 7 and 8, the production had allegedly used crackers and flammable materials against explicit orders. At that time, the BMC had already warned the team and forfeited their deposit .
BMC’s Strict Action: Blacklisting and ₹1 Lakh Fine
Taking a serious view of what they termed “repeated breaches of trust,” the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone I) has approved a proposal to permanently blacklist the offenders .
Who Has Been Blacklisted?
The ban is not just limited to the company. The BMC has specifically named three entities who will be barred from applying for permissions via the Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Limited portal:
Financial Penalties Imposed
Beyond the blacklisting, the civic body has recommended stringent financial actions:
- ₹1 Lakh Fine: Levied for shooting on a building terrace without permission and operating two generator vans without valid approvals .
- Forfeiture of Security Deposit: The ₹25,000 security deposit submitted by the production house has been confiscated .
A senior BMC official was quoted explaining the gravity of the situation: “Having received the clearances, the three applicants… can no longer apply for shoot permissions… The violations were serious and could have endangered the safety of local residents.”
A Pattern of Violations: The Drone Incident
This recent action by the BMC adds to the list of legal troubles for the Dhurandhar franchise. Earlier in February, Mumbai Police had registered an FIR against the film’s location manager, Rinku Rajpal Valmiki, for allegedly flying a drone without permission in the same high-security Fort area . This pattern of ignoring statutory clearances seems to have exhausted the patience of the local authorities.
About the Film: ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’
Despite the off-screen drama, the film itself is one of the biggest upcoming releases. Following the monumental success of the first part—which grossed over ₹1,300 crore worldwide—the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is slated for a grand release on March 19, 2026 .
Directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, the film also features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal. Interestingly, it is set to clash at the box office with Yash’s much-awaited Toxic .
The production team has reportedly assured the BMC that going forward, any remaining fire-related sequences will be completed using Visual Effects (VFX) rather than practical pyrotechnics .
Impact on Bollywood Shooting Norms
This incident has reignited the debate about safety protocols on Bollywood sets. For production houses shooting in Mumbai—especially in designated heritage zones—this serves as a stark reminder that permissions come with binding conditions. The Maharashtra Film Cell’s single-window system was designed to ease filming, but the blacklisting of B62 Studios shows that the system is also being used to ensure strict accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why has the BMC blacklisted the ‘Dhurandhar 2’ production house?
The BMC has blacklisted B62 Studios (Aditya Dhar’s company) due to repeated safety violations during the Mumbai shoot. This includes the use of lit torches and flammable materials despite a written undertaking to avoid them, as well as unauthorized terrace shooting and generator use .
2. What is the penalty imposed on the makers of Dhurandhar 2?
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has imposed a ₹1 lakh fine on the production house. Additionally, their ₹25,000 security deposit has been forfeited .
3. Can Aditya Dhar shoot another film in Mumbai after this ban?
As per the current order, the blacklisting is permanent. B62 Studios, along with the named applicants, cannot apply for shooting permissions through the official Maharashtra Film Cell portal in the future .
4. When is ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ releasing?
The film is scheduled to release in theatres on March 19, 2026. It stars Ranveer Singh and is a sequel to the 2025 blockbuster Dhurandhar .
5. What was the violation that triggered the BMC action?
The final trigger was a complaint on February 14, 2026, about the use of five lit torches (mashals) during a late-night shoot in the Fort area, despite specific prohibitions against flammable objects in the permission letter .
Conclusion
The BMC’s decisive action against Aditya Dhar’s B62 Studios is a landmark moment for film governance in Mumbai. While Dhurandhar: The Revenge is on track for its March release, the blacklisting serves as a severe professional and financial blow to the production team. For the film industry, it underscores a critical lesson: creative demands, no matter how grand, cannot supersede public safety and civic regulations.
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