Saif Ali Khan, the famous Bollywood actor, was stabbed at his home in Mumbai

Indian police officials said that Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan was stabbed several times in his home in an upscale neighborhood in Mumbai on Thursday.

Mr. Khan, a prolific actor from a family of high-profile celebrities, was injured in the pre-dawn hours in the Bandra neighborhood by an intruder who managed to escape, according to police. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors reported that he was recovering and in stable condition.

Dixit Gedam, deputy commissioner of Mumbai Police, said police were investigating the attack and believed the stabbing was part of a robbery attempt. He added that the police are searching for one of the identified suspects. “We know that the intruder used the fire escape to enter the house,” Mr Gedam said.

Mr. Khan suffered a serious spinal cord injury, as well as deep cuts to his arm and neck, according to Dr. Nitin Dang of Lilavati Hospital, where he was being treated. He underwent surgery to remove the knife and repair the leaking spinal fluid.

Mr. Khan, 54, has acted in more than 70 films in a career spanning three decades, with roles ranging from light-hearted romantic heroes to dark villains. His mother, Sharmila Tagore, was a famous actress, and his father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who was of royal lineage, was the captain of the Indian cricket team. Mr. Khan is also married to another prominent actress, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and his daughter Sara Ali Khan is also an actress.

The actor’s representatives issued a statement asking fans and the media to be patient while the police investigate.

As news of the stabbing spread, opposition politicians in Maharashtra, the state of which Mumbai is the capital, were quick to criticize the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for what they said was a deteriorating law enforcement situation.

“If celebrities are not safe, who in Mumbai is safe?” Priyanka Chaturvedi, Member of Parliament from Maharashta books On social media.

Actor-director Pooja Bhatt called for a greater police presence in the neighbourhood, while writing On social media“The city, especially the queen of the suburbs, has never felt so unsafe before.”

Last July, two gunmen opened fire outside the home of superstar actor Salman Khan, also in Bandra. Police arrested two men in the shooting incident, and said the suspects were linked to jailed gang leader Lawrence Bishnoi.

In October, Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister, was shot dead by three gunmen near the office of his son, also a politician, in Bandra. Mr Siddique had close relationships with Bollywood stars.