Chhota Shakeel, an aide of Dawood Ibrahim who is emerging as a challenger, spoke to Special Correspondent Sheela Raval on phone from Karachi. Excerpts:
Q. In an earlier interview, you
had denied any links with the Hindi film industry. Now you are one of the
main accused in the Rizvi case.
A. It was true then that there
was no direct involvement anywhere. But times change. When the other two
gangs (of Chhota Rajan and Abu Salem) are making money openly from the
film world, why not us? Today we are involved in everything-from extorting
money to financing films and helping whoever comes to us with genuine requests.
Q. What kind of help?
A. I have helped many top producers
financially. We must have made 20-25 films and earned profits too. Ten
more are on the floor today. Instead of extorting money from film personalities,
we thought we'd do business with them. And doing business is not a crime.
But it seems the industry and the Mumbai Police don't like our idea of
being straight. The filmwallahs seem to only understand the language of
bullets. So be it.
Q. Was it a business deal with Rizvi
for Chori Chori Chupke Chupke?
A. I hardly know Rizvi. He was
put behind bars for the wrong reasons. If knowing us is a crime, then why
didn't the police arrest Rajan's brother who made Vaastav? Why not Salem's
fronts who are producing films for him and organising shows? I have not
invested any thing in CCCC.
Q. But the Mumbai Police claim they
have concrete evidence of your direct involvement in the film ...
A. There are some 20 cases against
me, this is just one more. I am not bothered. Money was invested by Bharat
Shah. But when I lose something, I will not keep quiet. I am not silly
to wait for a so-called Rs 6 crore profit, which I can collect within a
minute if I want. One call is enough to make crores.
Q. Evidence with the police reveals
that you were speaking to Rizvi about "eliminating" Rakesh Roshan and pressuring
Hrithik to work in his new project ...
A. Rakesh Roshan is a hypocrite.
I had asked for money because I had information that he had paid Rs 2 crore
to the other two gangs. His father-in-law requested me that we should not
demand so much money as Hrithik had just begun his career. Inspite of having
concrete information about payments made by them at Moti Mahal in Andheri
and through hawala at Zaveri Bazar, I considered his request and asked
if Hrithik could act in one of our films. It was not an unreasonable demand.
They had agreed. Then they went ahead and complained against us.
Q. So you used pressure tactics?
A. I am mad with them because of
their doublespeak. Lato ke bhut baton se nahi mante (some people only understand
the language of force).