Chennai: Three people were killed and nine injured on the set of Kamal Haasan's film, Indian 2, after a crane on which they were sitting crashed to the ground.

All the three who lost their lives were assistant directors of the film, which was being shot at EVP Film City, a private cinema studio, near Chennai. Haasan was unharmed, film industry sources said, adding that the injured were undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The deceased were identified as Krishna (Assistant Director), Chandran (Art Assistant) and Madhu (Production Assistant). Krishna is the son-in-law of popular cartoonist Madhan. Director Shankar had a narrow escape, say witnesses.

Kamal Haasan took to twitter to share details about the incident. He wrote, "I have faced and overcome many accidents, but today's is the most horrific one. I lost three colleagues. The distress of their family members will be many times greater than my own pain. I share their grief as one of them. My deepest condolences to them."

“I have spoken to the doctors there. The injured have been provided first aid and steps to provide appropriate treatment are being taken. Let the dawn bring us hope that these people will make a swift recovery,” he added.

Lyca productions have released an official press statement about the incident -- “No words could ease what we truly feel. We are extremely saddened with the unfortunate accident that happened at the sets of Indian-2 yesterday."

They also expressed their deepest condolences to the deceased people's family members. "May their soul rest in peace,” the statement read.

Actor Kajal Aggarwal offered her condolences for the departed. “Words cannot describe the heartache I feel at the unexpected,untimely loss of my colleagues from last night. Krishna, Chandran and Madhu. Sending love, strength and my deepest condolences to your families.May god give strength in this moment of desolation,” she tweeted.

The Nazarathpet police have filed a case and are investigating the cause of the accident.The Crane operator, Rajan, has been booked under three sections including 304(a) (causing death by negligence) and 28(Negligent conduct with respect to machinery). He is on the run.

A sequel to the 1996 film Indian, Indian 2 is a upcoming vigilante action thriller directed by S Shankar, produced by Lyca Productions. It stars Kamal Haasan, Kajal Aggarwal, Siddharth, Rakul Preet and Priya Bhavani Shankar in the lead roles.

Haasan later visited the injured in the hospital and said they were given first aid and and he hoped they would soon recover.