The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has demanded a high-level investigation into the sudden and severe deterioration of veteran actor Rajesh Sharma's health during the shooting of Prabhas' upcoming film 'Fauji' at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. In a statement issued on Thursday, 9 July, the association called for an 'immediate, impartial and transparent investigation' into the circumstances that led to the medical emergency on set.

What Happened on Set

According to the association, Sharma's condition reportedly deteriorated severely during the film's shooting schedule at Ramoji Film City. He subsequently travelled to Kolkata, where he was admitted to a private hospital in Dhakuria, West Bengal for treatment. Actor Sudipa Chatterjee was among the first to disclose the details publicly, confirming that Sharma had suffered an insect bite on set, which triggered a high-grade fever followed by breathlessness and acute discomfort.

As of the latest update, Sharma remains under close medical observation and is reportedly still not out of danger.

AICWA's Key Questions

The association raised pointed questions about the handling of the emergency. It asked why Sharma was not immediately admitted to one of Hyderabad's leading hospitals if his condition had turned critical during the shoot. It also questioned whether adequate emergency medical assistance was available on set and whether all mandatory workplace safety, hygiene, and emergency medical protocols were being followed at the time of the incident.

'The film industry has a legal and moral responsibility to provide a safe, hygienic and medically prepared working environment for every artist, technician and worker,' the AICWA statement read. The association alleged that workers and technicians frequently hesitate to speak openly about on-set incidents due to fear of losing employment or facing professional consequences.

Demand for State-Level Intervention

AICWA has formally urged Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to order a high-level inquiry into the incident at the 'Fauji' set. The probe, it said, should determine the exact cause of Sharma's medical emergency, assess whether safety and hygiene protocols were followed, and examine whether there was any negligence on the part of the producer, production house, or any other responsible authority.

The association further demanded strict legal action against those found responsible if any lapse is established, regardless of the scale or budget of the production. It also called on the producer and production house to bear the complete cost of Sharma's medical treatment until his full recovery.

Who Is Rajesh Sharma

Widely regarded as one of Indian cinema's most versatile character actors, Rajesh Sharma is an alumnus of the National School of Drama (NSD). His extensive filmography includes acclaimed titles such as 'Khosla Ka Ghosla', 'The Dirty Picture', 'Special 26', 'M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story', 'Piku', 'Tanu Weds Manu', 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha', 'Mardaani 2', and 'Crew', among many others.

Broader Industry Safety Concerns

This incident is not an isolated flashpoint. AICWA noted that it has repeatedly raised concerns about poor hygiene, inadequate sanitation, unsafe working conditions, and the absence of proper emergency medical facilities at shooting locations across the country. The 'Fauji' set episode has reignited debate about whether large-budget productions — with the resources to meet the highest safety standards — are actually doing so. How the Telangana government and the production house respond will be closely watched by film industry workers nationwide.