While the fire, which had completely ravaged the studio, was doused by Saturday midnight and fire brigade personnel insisted there was no one trapped inside the studio
The fire that broke out at Cine Vista studio in Kanjurmarg on Saturday night claimed one life — of 20-year-old Goregaon resident Gopi Varma who worked as a 'boom man.' His charred body was recovered by fire officials on Sunday morning.
While the fire, which had completely ravaged the studio, was doused by Saturday midnight and fire brigade personnel insisted there was no one trapped inside the studio, on Sunday morning they initiated a search operation after Gopi's family reached the site after he failed to returned home the previous night.
Speaking to DNA, Suraj Kumar Varma, Gopi's father, said, "I sent my elder son to the studio on Saturday after we learnt about the fire, but police insisted everyone escaped the fire. We waited the entire night. Next day at 7.45am I rushed to the studio. I was stopped at the main gate but I pleaded that my son was missing and urged to meet fire officials to request them for another search."
Around 12 noon, the fire brigade found Gopi's body stuck under the portion of a metal roof. Incidentally, Gopi's body was found around 15 feet away from the door through which everyone else had escaped. His identity was confirmed from the Aadhaar card found in is pocket.
Gopi, a resident of Gokuldham, Goregaon, had left for work at 8 am on Saturday since he had a morning shift for Bepannah television serial at Cine Vista studio where he worked as a boom man. The crew had a tea break at 7.30pm and returned to the set. However, soon after the shooting resumed the fire broke out.
His father who works as a stage designer said, "Gopi was working since the past four to five years and was doing well in his work. When I saw his charred body, I collapsed. He used to say that he wanted to own independently and move to our hometown."
"His colleagues who were on the sets told me that he went in to take his cell phone and got stuck in the fire. Some said he was scared to run out and tried to hide somewhere. In the end, Gopi failed to escape death," Varma said.
Subash Sahoo, general secretary of the Sound Association of India, said Gopi was a member, and senior members of the association visited the site and later met his family. "It's a terrible tragedy. We have extended all our support to the family; we are working out a compensation plan as well," he said.
Alim Shaikh, a family friend, noted, "Gopi used to accompany his father and elder brother to various sets. Couple of years ago, Gopi started working as an assistant recordist."
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