In a horrific attack, comedian Kapil Sharma’s Surrey café in Canada has been targeted for the second time in weeks, reportedly due to his friendship with actor Salman Khan. The link between the attacks and the actor has been reportedly verified through an audio clip released by one of the members of the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang, raising renewed fear over the long-pending threat hanging over Salman Khan and those around him.
Firing Incidents in Canada
Kapil Sharma’s café, known as “Kap’s Café,” was first targeted in July 2025. The second incident occurred just last Thursday when unidentified gunmen opened fire at the establishment. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either incident. The Surrey Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway, though they have yet to release details on the suspects or motives.
The situation took a more ominous tone when a new audio message reportedly surfaced, claiming responsibility for the attacks and providing a motive: Salman Khan’s involvement in the café’s inauguration.
The Alleged Audio Threat and Its Contents
According to an India Today report, the audio was released by a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. In the recording, the gang member warned that any celebrity, whether a director, producer, or actor, who collaborates with Salman Khan would be “shot in the chest.” The speaker goes on to state that the attacks on Kapil Sharma’s restaurant were a direct consequence of him inviting Salman Khan for its opening, which was discussed during the first episode of the new season of The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix.
Even as the authenticity of the audio continues to be confirmed by authorities, the tone and message are reminiscent of the earlier threats given to Salman Khan and his team by the gang.
Why the Bishnoi Gang Targets Salman Khan
Salman Khan has been in the crosshairs of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang before too. The reason for their resentment against the actor is the 1998 Blackbuck poaching case, for which Khan was accused of poaching blackbucks, an animal that the Bishnoi people regard as sacred. Even after all the years of legal battles ever since, the case has left an indelible mark on Khan’s public persona and security situation.
Lawrence Bishnoi, who is in prison, has been associated with several criminal threats and attacks, and his network is said to reach all over India and even abroad to places like Canada. Violence and intimidation have been the common tools of his gang for warning or settling scores, and targeting Kapil Sharma’s café seems to be the latest in the trend.
Not an Isolated Incident
Salman Khan’s name has repeatedly come up in connection with threats or attacks on other public figures. In a similar case last year, shots were reportedly fired outside the home of Punjabi singer AP Dhillon in Vancouver, shortly after the release of a music video featuring Salman Khan. That incident also saw threats allegedly from the Bishnoi gang, again showing a pattern of retaliation against anyone associated with the actor.
Also, in April 2023, there was a severe security issue when militants fired gunshots outside Khan’s residence in Bandra, Mumbai. This caused the tightening of actor Khan’s security, with the Maharashtra Police declaring Khan a high-risk individual.
Celebrity Associations Now Under Scrutiny
This series of incidents highlights a concerning tendency: not only Salman Khan, but anybody perceived to be backing or linked to him might find themselves targeted. Whether it’s appearing on a talk show, being featured in a music video, or attending a public event, celebrities are now facing the unsettling possibility that their professional choices could provoke dangerous consequences.
Kapil Sharma, who has no known personal conflict with the gang, seems to have been caught in the crossfire simply for being friendly with Salman Khan. His popular Netflix show, The Great Indian Kapil Show, had featured Khan in its opening episode this season. In the course of the lighthearted exchanges, Sharma had apparently invited Khan to the opening of his new café in Surrey, an experience that has now fallen under unusual scrutiny.
Conclusion: A Growing Concern for Bollywood and Beyond
With the investigations continuing, the world of entertainment is left confronting the unpleasant reality that public figures are more and more under criminal threat not merely for what they do, but also with whom they socialize. The global nature of the recent attacks, particularly in Canada, makes it even more complex, suggesting that these criminal syndicates do not have any geographical boundaries.
Whereas the Surrey Police have tried to assure the public that they are pursuing all leads, the latest twists are a grim reminder of the unpredictable crossroads between celebrity culture and organized crime. For Kapil Sharma and Salman Khan, however, their only offense, it appears, was to share a smile on screen and an invitation in real life.