Actors open up about potential risks after Sunil Pal, Mushtaq Khan’s kidnappings

The recent incident of kidnappings of actorcomedian Sunil Pal and actor Mushtaq Khan has put the limelight on safety of artists who attend live events and shows across India In the past month the aforementioned artists were kidnapped in and around Meerut in Uttar Pradesh Reportedly a gang operating in MeerutBijnor is into the business of luring artists with tickets and advance amounts only to subsequently abduct them and extort money to release themOn the surface the events seem legit leaving little to no room for doubt However these recent incidents have not particularly come as a surprise to artists Midday spoke to who explained how actors should be careful while accepting invitationsNo middlemen in Tier 2 and 3 cities Siddhant IssarActor Siddhant Issar who is currently seen on the show lsquoShaitaani Rasmeinrsquo tells us that there are no event organisers serving as middlemen in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities unlike metros ldquoMost of the events I attend are in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities These events are not handled by any event organisers generally and contacts are made directlyrdquo he sharesIssar had been cautious of his safety much before the recent kidnappings came to light ldquoThere are simple things we can do to ensure our safety keep family informed at all times about our whereabouts create digital footprint and inform all about our location through social media when you visit a new city for eventsrdquo shares Issar adding that he and his father actor Puneet Issar always keep the local police informed about their event scheduleldquoTheypolice love meeting artists and it is always good to keep the local station informedrdquo he addedThese recent incidents have made Issar more cautious but he is not too surprised He has seen gang wars happening up north leading to events getting cancelled at the last moment ldquoOnce an event in Hissar that I was scheduled to attend was cancelled when two gangs in a gang war had a faceoff with guns at the venuerdquo says Issar adding that most events are poorly managed with no crowd control in placeNever attend events alone Aahana KumraActress Aahana Kumra says she has made it a point to never attend events alone ldquoI have been asked by organisers to come alone as they cannot arrange accommodation and travel for the people accompanying merdquo she said ldquoBut as a woman I have been very careful and ensure that I do not travel alonerdquoThe sharing of essential details like flight hotel bookings and vehicles is usually done only at the last moment says Kumra ldquoTo ensure safety it is necessary that one receives all these details well in advance and not at the last moment And we must share these details with our family members I always inform my family about my whereaboutsrdquo she said adding that many a times events and people organising them come across as sketchyShe further stated that sometimes basic requirements for the artists are also not met with ldquoPeople say artists are difficult but it is because artists are treated badly The reason why the entourage has increased is because you are treating people badly You will not give them makeup person security or accommodation of their choice All of these are basic requirements they are not asking for fivestar hotel stays I do not travel with an entourage I travel with one personrdquoNever faced such incidents Rohit RoyIn contrast actor Rohit Bose Roy has never experienced an untoward incident In the 20plus years that Rohit has done live shows says that he is surprised that such kidnappings are happening ldquoI have done shows across the country in all kinds of cities I have not faced any such incidentrdquo he says stressing how one must verify all details before accepting an invite for an eventldquoNever get into a flight before getting all details about the event you are attending and the arrangements maderdquo he stresses adding that one must always keep family and friends informed about their whereabouts