Bollywood Reacts to Mumbai Siege

The Indian metropolis of Mumbai is well-known for its prolific entertainment industry, a.k.a. “Bollywood.” Following the recent terror seige, India’s entertainment community responded to the attacks, which claimed the life of at least one of its (international) members.

Variety:

Coverage of the tragedies, which left more than 120 people dead and 300 injured, has dominated the airwaves, with other issues like the upcoming regional elections relegated down the running order. “Terrible! Terrible situation!,” superstar actor Amitabh Bachchan wrote in his blog.

Among the dead was Ralph Burkei, the co-owner of German television production company CAMP, who fell from the facade of the Taj Mahal hotel, trying to escape the terrorists. Burkei managed to call a friend from his cell phone and told him: “I have broken every bone in my body. If no one helps me now, I’m finished.” He died on the way to the hospital.

The European Producers Club reported that Ignasi Guardans-Combo, a member of the European Parliament who has been involved in culture and media affairs, was among those held hostage in Mumbai. His fate is unclear.

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AP photo / Altaf Qadri

A National Security Guard commando walks past a bus decorated with photos of Bollywood stars in front of Mumbai’s Taj Mahal hotel after the end of a gunbattle between terrorists and Indian troops inside the hotel on Saturday.