Narrowly escaped from death as giant crane collapsed on Kamal Haasan’s film set: Kajal Aggarwal

The accident occurred on February 19, 2020, at EVP Film City near Chennai, during the shooting of director Shankar's Indian 2. A crane carrying heavy lighting equipment collapsed while preparations were underway for a major sequence. Kajal, Kamal Haasan and director Shankar were present at the location but escaped without injuries.

According to the Indian Express report shared, Kajal recalled how a crane approximately 100 feet tall nearly fell on her. The incident remains a disturbing memory for the actress, particularly because several members of the production team were not as fortunate.

Three crew members — Krishna, Chandran and Madhusudhan Rao — lost their lives in the accident, while ten others sustained injuries. The tragedy shocked the Tamil film industry and raised serious questions about safety arrangements during large-scale film productions.

Immediately after the accident, Kajal had expressed her shock and grief on social media. She described the experience as deeply traumatic and reflected on how a fraction of a second could determine whether someone survived such a disaster. She also offered condolences to the families of her deceased colleagues.

Kamal Haasan, who also narrowly escaped the accident, subsequently called for stronger safety measures on film sets. The actor stressed the need for proper insurance coverage, safety audits and greater accountability from production companies, particularly when heavy machinery and elaborate equipment are used during filming.

The Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) also responded to the tragedy by demanding improved workplace safety standards, adequate medical facilities and insurance protection for technicians and other film workers.

The accident led to a prolonged interruption in the production of Indian 2, with the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic further delaying filming. The project eventually resumed after production-related difficulties were addressed.

Kajal's recollection serves as a reminder of the risks faced not only by actors but also by technicians, assistants and other workers involved in filmmaking. While leading actors often receive public attention following such incidents, the tragedy highlighted the vulnerability of behind-the-scenes professionals whose work is essential to film production.

More than six years after the accident, the incident remains an important example of why safety protocols, professional supervision of heavy equipment and emergency preparedness must be integral to film production rather than treated as secondary considerations.