Mumbai | Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan was repeatedly stabbed by an intruder in his highrise apartment in upscale Bandra early Thursday and rushed to hospital with the blade still lodged in his spine, an audacious attack that raises intriguing questions about security and celebrity life in the financial and showbiz hub.
The 54-year-old, who received six stab injuries, including in his neck, was out of danger following an emergency surgery at the Lilavati Hospital where he was taken after the attack outside his younger son Jeh's room around 2.30 am.
The entire family - Khan, his wife and fellow star Kareena Kapoor, and their two sons, four-year-old Jeh and eight-year-old Taimur - were home in the 12th floor apartment along with their five house helps. In a statement to the police, Jeh's nanny Eliyama Philip, who first encountered the armed attacker, said he asked for Rs 1 crore.
The intruder did not force his entry or break into the actor's flat but possibly sneaked in at some point during the night with the intention of robbery, police officials said. The attacker, who made his escape through the stairs, remains on the run.
Recounting the horrific events of the night, Philip said she was sleeping on the floor in Jeh's room and woke up around 2 am when she heard a sound and saw a man move towards the sleeping child. Panicked, she rushed to pick him up and was pushed away by the man, armed with a wooden stick and a long Hexa blade. Another nanny was also sleeping in the same room.
"I sat up to see who was in the bathroom… I saw a thin and short man come out and go towards Jeh's bed," Philip said in the statement that forms the basis of the police FIR on the incident.
The man, she said, pointed a finger at her and warned her, "Koi awaz nahin (don't make any noise).
"In the scuffle, he attacked me with the blade. I got injured on my wrist. I asked him what he wants. He said he wants money and that he needs Rs 1 crore," Philip, who has been working with the star couple for four years, said in her statement.
Hearing her scream, Khan and Kareena rushed out of their room. The intruder, who Philip said was between 35-40 years old, then attacked Khan with a knife. During the commotion, another house help also rushed out to raise an alarm. The intruder then ran away.
CCTV footage showed the alleged assailant, wearing a red scarf and carrying a backpack, scurrying down the stairs from the sixth floor of the Satguru Sharan building.
At least 10 police teams were formed to untangle the sensational crime targeting the “Dil Chahta Hai” actor and his family, amongst the most high profile and most photographed in Mumbai.
As police questioned guards and house helps and concern mounted, doctors said he was on “100 per cent recovery path”.
It was a narrow, miraculous escape.
A 2.5-inch piece of the blade was removed from his spine, doctors at the Lilavati Hospital said.
"He sustained six injuries, two are minor, two intermediate and two deep injuries. One of the injuries is on the back which is close to the spine," the hospital's chief operating officer Dr Niraj Uttamani told PTI.
Khan had been shifted to the ICU and could be moved out to a room in a day or two, he said.
"Saif sustained a major injury to his thoracic spine (middle section) due to a knife... Surgery was performed to remove the knife and also to repair the leaking spinal fluid," explained Dr Nitin Dange, a neuro surgeon who led the team of doctors operating on Khan.
"There were two other deep wounds in his left hand and right side of the neck which were repaired by the plastic surgery team,” he said.
Khan, who was awarded a Padma Shri in 2010, was taken to the hospital in an autorickshaw.
The incident, which sent shockwaves through Mumbai and elsewhere and highlighted the vulnerability of even well-guarded celebrities, led to reactions from across all sectors.
Opposition leaders said even celebrities were not safe in India's financial capital and blamed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, for failing to maintain law and order.
Fadnavis responded by saying that the attack was serious but it would be incorrect to call Mumbai unsafe.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said the incident shows that the law and order situation is deteriorating in Maharashtra.
"Recently, a person was killed in the same area and now this incident. All these things are worrisome," Pawar told reporters at Baramati.
In October last year, former state minister Baba Siddique was shot dead by three persons in Bandra area.
Before that, in April last year, there was firing outside actor Salman Khan’s apartment building in the posh suburban area. A bulletproof glass has now been installed in the balcony of his home.
Prominent politicians, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, joined Khan’s industry colleagues to express their shock.
"It's very concerning to hear about the attack on noted actor Saif Ali Khan. I pray for his speedy recovery, trusting that the law will take its course and those responsible will be held accountable. My thoughts and prayers are with Sharmila Di, Kareena Kapoor, and the entire family during this difficult time," Banerjee posted on X.
Kejriwal said, "Shocked to hear about the attack on Saif Ali Khan. Wishing him a speedy recovery and strength to his family during this difficult time."
Based on Philip’s statement, police registered a first information report under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 311 (robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), 331 (4) (house break-in or trespass at night) and other relevant provisions.
Mumbai is home to India’s biggest showbiz stars and industry leaders.
The son of actor Sharmila Tagore and late cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Khan is known for his performances in films like "Omkara", "Kal Ho Naa Ho" and "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior".
Hexa blade is defined as a hacksaw blade, a thin, fine toothed instrument used for cutting metal, wood or plastic.
Mumbai | Police have formed as many as 20 teams to track down and nab the intruder who stabbed Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan in his apartment in upscale Bandra in Mumbai in the early hours of Thursday and are tapping their network of informers to locate him, officials said.
Police are examining the CCTV footage of the building showing the intruder, who was armed with a wooden stick and a long Hexa blade, fleeing after the attack which took during a "burglary attempt" in the apartment housed in `Satguru Sharan' building, they said.
The footage, captured at 2.33 am, clearly showed the young suspect's face. He is seen wearing a brown collared T-shirt and red scarf or `gamcha' while descending the stairs on the sixth floor of the building. The 54-year-old actor lives on the 12th floor.
Besides Khan, a 56-year-old staff nurse at the house, Eliyama Philip, who is the complainant, and a domestic help suffered blade injuries in the incident, said an official.
Based on details gathered from the footage and other clues, police have launched a search for the attacker. Investigators believe the intruder may have changed his clothes before fleeing the spot, he said.
Police have recorded statements of nurse Philip, house helps, the guard of the building and questioning some persons, the official informed.
"Police have formed 20 teams and launched a search for the accused," he said, adding they are trying to find out if he has previous criminal record.
Probe teams are also taking the help of informers and relying on technical support to nab the attacker, another official said.
Mumbai | Film celebrities and politicians, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Chiranjeevi, expressed shock over the attack on Saif Ali Khan at his home in Mumbai with several others questioning the alleged lawlessness in the city.
The 54-year-old actor, who was injured after an intruder attacked him with a knife at around 2.30 am on Thursday at his Bandra home, was hospitalised and underwent surgery. He is out of danger, his representative said.
Banerjee and Kejriwal wished for the actor's speedy recovery in their social media posts.
"It’s very concerning to hear about the attack on noted actor Saif Ali Khan. I pray for his speedy recovery, trusting that the law will take its course and those responsible will be held accountable. My thoughts and prayers are with Sharmila Di, Kareena Kapoor, and the entire family during this difficult time," Banerjee posted on X.
Kejriwal said, "Shocked to hear about the attack on Saif Ali Khan. Wishing him a speedy recovery and strength to his family during this difficult time."
Shiv Sena UBT leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the incident at Saif's residence is another "high profile attempt on life" after the firing outside superstar Salman Khan's home and the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique.
"The attack on Saif Ali Khan yet again raises questions on Mumbai Police & the Home Minister. This is after a series of incidents that show there is a deliberate attempt to undermine Mumbai by targeting big names...
"All in Bandra. An area which has the highest concentration of celebrities, which is supposed to have adequate security. If celebrities are not safe then who in Mumbai is?
Wishing Saif Ali Khan a speedy recovery," she wrote on X.
Actor Pooja Bhatt tagged Mumbai Police in a post and questioned the "lawlessness" in the city, which is home to several celebrities as well as top industrialists.
"Can this lawlessness please be curbed @MumbaiPolice @CPMumbaiPolice We need more Police presence in Bandra. The city & especially the queen of the subburbs, have never felt so unsafe before," she said.
Chiranjeevi wrote, "Deeply Disturbed by news of the attack by an intruder on #SaifAliKhan. Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery."
Imtiaz Ali, the director of Saif's 2009 movie "Love Aaj Kal", shared a picture of the actor on Instagram Stories and wrote, "My brave brother."
Saif's sister Saba Pataudi said she is shocked and reeling from the insane incident but proud of her brother.
"Taking care of the family and standing tall would make Abba so proud. I am. Get well soon. Missing being there. Will see you soon. Duas and prayers always," Saba said in a post on Instagram Stories where she also shared a childhood photo with Saif.
Parineeti Chopra said,"Get well soon Saif."
Sonu Sood posted on X, "Saddened to hear about the unfortunate attack on Saif Ali Khan. My thoughts and prayers are with him for a swift recovery and a full return to health. Stay strong, brother. #SaifAliKhan"
Actor and BJP MP Ravi Kishan, who worked with Saif on films such as "Agent Vinod" and "Bullet Raja", said the incident is saddening.
"He's my friend and co-actor... Government and police administration is working to nab the culprits. The culprit will be caught soon, Mumbai police has a good reputation. He'll be given strict punishment. Security of actors should be given importance. I pray to lord that Saif recovers soon," Kishan told PTI.
South star Jr NTR, who recently shared screen space with Saif in Telugu hit "Devara", said he was shocked and saddened to hear about the attack on Saif.
"Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery and good health," he added.
Filmmaker Kunal Kohli, who directed Saif and Rani Mukerji's 2004 hit "Hum Tum", said the incident was scary. "Praying for Saif’s speedy recovery. #SaifAliKhan," he wrote on X.
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh wrote, "My prayers with Saif sir and the entire family. This is very sad indeed !! May your bravery and love for your family be rewarded with healing, strength, and peace. Get well soon."
Actor Adil Hussain said he was "deeply shocked and saddened by the horrible incident involving Saif.
"My thoughts and prayers with him and his family," he added.
Actor Swara Bhasker said the news of the knife attack on Saif was "deeply disturbing and distressing.
The intruder fled from the spot following the incident which took place at Saif's 12th floor house in Satguru Sharan building in Bandra area.
The actor's representatives described the incident as an "attempted burglary" though police were yet to comment on it.
No person has been arrested so far, a senior police official said.
After Khan's medical procedure, his team said the actor has come out of the surgery and is out of danger.
"He is currently in recovery and the doctors are monitoring his progress. All family members are safe and the police is investigating the incident," the statement said.
Mumbai | A staff nurse at the house of actor Saif Ali Khan, who was attacked by an unidentified intruder early Thursday morning, recounted the horrifying incident in her statement to the police and said the man demanded Rs 1 crore when confronted.
The intruder first entered the room of Saif and Kareena Kapoor-Khan's younger son Jeh, said Eliyama Philip, the complainant in the case.
The stabbing attack inside his 12th floor apartment in Bandra left Saif Ali Khan severely injured with a piece of knife in his spine, necessitating an emergency surgery.
As per Eliyama Philip, employed as caretaker and nurse for Jeh, she woke up around 2 am after hearing a sound in Jeh's room and found the bathroom light on.
Philip had given dinner to Jeh on Wednesday night and put him to sleep around 11pm. She too slept on the floor in the same room along with a nanny.
"I sat up to see who was in the bathroom when I saw a short, thin man come out and move towards Jeh's bed. I immediately stood up," she said in the statement.
The man pointed a finger at her and said in Hindi, "Koi Awaaz Nahi (don't make any sound)."
"I still walked towards Jeh to wake him up. The man had a wooden stick in his left hand and in his right hand he had a long, hacksaw-like blade. He rushed towards me," Phillip said.
"In the scuffle, he attacked me with the blade. I got hurt on my wrist. I asked him what he wants. He said he wants money and he needs Rs 1 crore," said Philip, who has been working with the Khan couple for four years, in her statement.
The nanny raised an alarm, and Saif and Kareena ran to the hall where the intruder and the two women were now standing.
"The intruder attacked Saif. All the other staff of the house too came running," the statement said.
Phillip and others ran out of the room in panic as the intruder scuffled with Saif. When they went back, the main door was open and the intruder was gone.
Saif was injured in the back of his neck, right shoulder, back, wrist of the left hand and elbow. There was a lot of blood, Philip said.
As per the complaint, the intruder was around 35 to 40 years old.
CCTV footage obtained by the police showed the man escaping through the staircase.
More than 20 teams have been formed to nab the suspect, said Satyanarayan Choudhary, joint commissioner of police (law and order.)
Mumbai | Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar on Thursday said actor Saif Ali Khan has undergone a five-hour surgery following injuries in a knife attack at his Bandra home and needs rest.
The Bollywood star was repeatedly stabbed by an intruder in his highrise apartment in the early hours of the day and rushed to Lilavati hospital with the blade still lodged in his spine.
Talking to reporters after visiting the hospital, Shelar, the BJP MLA from Vandre (Bandra) West, said, "Saif suffered six stab wounds and underwent five-hour surgery. He needs rest. We must ensure the family recovers from the trauma and shock. It is inappropriate to indulge in politics (over the incident)."
Shelar said he had discussed the incident with police officials, who told him 10 teams have been formed to nab the culprit.
"The incident is serious. I have conveyed to the police the sentiments of the people, who want the arrest of the culprit at the earliest," the Maharashtra culture minister added.
