Kajal Aggarwal Recalls Narrow Escape in Indian 2 Crane Crash

Actor Kajal Aggarwal has opened up about a life-threatening incident on the sets of Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2, recalling how she narrowly escaped a falling crane during a night shoot in February 2020. The accident at EVP Film City near Chennai claimed three lives and left nine people injured. Kajal believes an unidentified hand pulled her away moments before the massive structure crashed beside her.

In a conversation with Humans of Bombay, the actor described the terrifying sequence of events, explaining that she initially had no idea why people around her had suddenly started running. She was sitting with other members of the cast and crew inside a temporary tent, wearing prosthetic makeup for her character, when the commotion began.

As she tried to move away, Kajal stumbled against a console table. She briefly stopped and turned around to understand what was happening. That was when she saw a 100-foot crane falling towards her. Before she could react, she felt someone pull her out of the tent.

The crane crashed right next to her. When her staff members rushed to check on her, she asked whether any of them had pulled her away. They said they had been elsewhere, leaving her wondering who had helped her escape.

The incident remains one of the most frightening experiences Kajal has spoken about publicly. Her recollection also brings attention to the tragic loss of three film workers and the safety risks that can accompany large-scale film productions.

Kajal Aggarwal remembers the near-fatal accident on Indian 2 sets

The accident took place in February 2020 at EVP Film City in Nazrathpet, near Chennai, while the team was filming Indian 2. The production, directed by S Shankar and led by Kamal Haasan, involved elaborate sets, action sequences and complex technical arrangements.

During a night shoot, a heavy-duty crane measuring around 100 feet was being used to support the lighting setup. The structure collapsed onto a canopy in the filming area, causing a devastating accident. Three crew members, including an assistant director and technicians, died, while nine others sustained injuries.

The tragedy sent shockwaves through the Tamil film industry. Film productions depend on heavy machinery, temporary structures and technical equipment, and an accident involving any of these can put numerous people at risk. The Indian 2 incident highlighted how vulnerable cast and crew members can be when working near large installations.

Following the accident, Kamal Haasan and the production house announced financial assistance of ₹1 crore each for the families of the deceased crew members. The announcement was intended to support the families after the sudden loss of their loved ones.

For Kajal, the incident was particularly difficult because she was standing close to the area where the crane came down. Recalling the moment, she said she could hardly believe she had survived.

“There was this 100-foot crane that fell down and took three lives on set, and I would have been the first one to go. Literally, I don’t know how I am alive, but I swear to you, there was a hand that pulled me out,” she said during the interview.

How the crane came crashing down near Kajal

Kajal recalled that the cast and crew were shooting a large action sequence when the accident unfolded. The actors were seated behind the monitor in a tent-like arrangement, watching the filming process during the night shoot.

Suddenly, people began running. Kajal did not immediately understand what had happened or what danger was approaching. She was wearing prosthetic makeup that transformed her appearance into that of an 80-year-old woman for her role in the film.

As she joined the others in moving away, she accidentally stumbled against a console table. The brief interruption made her stop and question why she was running without knowing what was happening. She decided to turn around and look.

That decision gave her a glimpse of the danger. She saw the enormous crane falling in her direction and froze. The structure was coming down so quickly that she had almost no time to react or understand the situation.

Kajal described the moment as something that happened in a split second. She said she was unable to move because of the shock and could not comprehend what she was witnessing. Just then, she felt someone yank her out of the tent.

The crane fell immediately beside her. Kajal recalled looking at the fallen structure and shivering, overwhelmed by how close she had come to being struck.

‘I wondered who pulled me’: Kajal on the mysterious rescue

What made the experience even more difficult for Kajal to explain was the uncertainty surrounding the person who pulled her away. After the crane collapsed, members of her staff came running to check whether she was safe.

She asked them whether they had been the ones who pulled her out of the tent. However, they told her they had been away from her when the incident happened. Kajal was therefore unable to identify who had moved her to safety.

In her account, the unidentified hand appeared at the exact moment she was frozen in fear. She said the crane crashed next to her immediately afterwards, leaving her convinced that she had narrowly escaped a potentially fatal impact.

For Kajal, the experience felt like divine intervention. She has described the incident as a moment when she could not explain how she had survived, particularly because she could not identify the person who pulled her away.

Her interpretation is personal, and the identity of the person who helped her has not been established in the account she shared. Nevertheless, the memory clearly remains powerful for the actor, who said she still wonders who was responsible for saving her.

Kajal also revealed that the accident deeply shook her family. A serious incident on a film set can affect not only the people present but also their families, who may struggle with the possibility of losing a loved one while they are at work.

The Indian 2 tragedy highlighted film-set safety risks

The crane accident was a reminder of the dangers involved in producing large-scale films. While audiences usually see the finished action sequences, elaborate lighting and impressive sets, these scenes require extensive technical work behind the camera.

Film crews regularly work around cranes, lighting rigs, heavy equipment, temporary platforms and structures. These installations need to be handled by trained personnel and maintained under appropriate safety procedures. Even a brief failure can have serious consequences when people are working nearby.

Large night shoots can involve several departments operating simultaneously. Actors may be positioned near monitoring equipment, technicians may be adjusting lighting arrangements, and production teams may be coordinating different parts of a sequence. Clear communication and controlled access to hazardous areas are therefore essential.

Measures such as equipment inspections, secure rigging, trained crane operators, defined safety zones and emergency response plans can help reduce the risks associated with heavy machinery. Productions also need to ensure that workers understand evacuation procedures and can respond quickly when an unsafe situation develops.

The Indian 2 accident demonstrated why safety must remain a priority regardless of a film’s budget, scale or schedule. The deaths of three crew members and injuries to nine others were a tragic reminder that the people working behind the camera are just as important as those appearing on screen.

For actors such as Kajal, the incident can also change how they remember a particular production. A film may eventually be discussed in terms of its performances, reviews and box-office figures, but the people who experienced a serious accident during its making may associate it with something much more personal.

Indian 2: Kamal Haasan’s sequel faced mixed reviews

Indian 2 was released in 2024 as a sequel to the 1996 Tamil blockbuster Indian. The original film, directed by S Shankar, featured Kamal Haasan in dual roles and followed the story of Senapathy, a former freedom fighter who takes action against corruption.

The sequel brought Haasan back as Senapathy and featured an ensemble cast that included Kajal Aggarwal, Siddharth, Rakul Preet Singh and SJ Suryah. The project attracted considerable attention because of the popularity of the original film and expectations surrounding the return of its central character.

However, Indian 2 received largely negative reviews from critics. Several reviewers felt that the sequel did not match the emotional impact of its predecessor. Its lengthy runtime and screenplay were also criticised, with some viewers finding the storytelling less engaging than expected.

Performances by Kamal Haasan, Siddharth and SJ Suryah received some appreciation despite the criticism directed at the film’s overall execution. The response reflected the challenge of continuing a well-known story decades after the original release.

Commercially, the film reportedly collected around ₹150 crore worldwide during its theatrical run. It became the fifth-highest-grossing Tamil film of 2024, according to the figures cited in the source report, although its performance was considered below expectations given the scale of the production.

The film’s journey was marked by production delays and the devastating 2020 accident. While its eventual release brought the project back into public discussion, the tragedy remains an important part of its production history.

Kajal Aggarwal’s role as Mandodari in Ramayana

Kajal Aggarwal has continued to work across Tamil, Telugu and Hindi cinema, taking on roles in a range of genres. She is also associated with Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious mythological project Ramayana, in which she is reported to portray Mandodari.

Mandodari is an important character in the traditional Ramayana narrative and is known as the wife of Ravana, the king of Lanka. Her character has been interpreted in different ways across retellings, often being portrayed as a figure who questions Ravana’s decisions and recognises the consequences of his actions.

The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash in the role of Ravana and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, according to the supplied report. Its large ensemble and mythological subject have made it one of the widely discussed Indian film projects.

The source report also states that the film crossed ₹1,000 crore in worldwide collections within eight days. Box-office figures can vary across reporting sources and updates, so such claims should be understood in the context of the reported collection period.

A frightening experience that stayed with the actor

Kajal Aggarwal’s account of the Indian 2 crane accident offers a personal perspective on a tragedy that affected several members of the film crew. She remembers the confusion of the night shoot, the sudden sight of the falling crane and the unidentified hand that pulled her away just before the structure crashed beside her.

Her belief that divine intervention saved her life is central to how she understands the experience. At the same time, the incident should not be remembered only through the story of one person’s escape. Three crew members lost their lives, and nine others were injured while working on the production.

The accident remains a reminder that filmmaking involves responsibilities that extend beyond creative ambition and commercial success. Careful planning, reliable equipment and effective safety procedures are essential to protecting everyone on a set.

For Kajal, the experience was a close encounter with a danger she still struggles to explain. Years later, her recollection has once again drawn attention to the tragedy and to the importance of ensuring that the people who bring films to life can do their work safely.