Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Times of India
Date: December 5, 2004
Introduction: Breakaway Abu Salem
Gang Threatens Producers for Overseas Film Rights
A splinter group of the Abu Salem
gang is now targetting Bollywood producers for the overseas rights to their
films. The latest victims of this group are said to be film-makers Yash
Chopra and Ram Gopal Varma who released Veer Zaara and Naach respectively
this Diwali. While Veer Zara, starring Shah Rukh Khan, has been a hit in
almost all territories in India, Naach, featuring Antara Mali, has been
a moderate success.
However, both are in big demand
in overseas markets. While Chopra and Varma could not be contacted, intelligence
sources confirmed that they had received threat calls from the breakaway
Abu Salem faction which is based in Dubai. The leader of this group is
referred to as 'major'. A senior officer said police protection had been
given to Chopra and Varma as a precautionary measure. "This is a temporary
measure and the security cover will be withdrawn after a few months," he
added. Sources confirmed that the protection was given after threats were
issued to these high-profile producers.
Police sources said Bollywood was
being targetted by mafiadom after a gap of several months. Abu Salem, who
was earlier with the Dawood Ibrahim gang, was notorious for forcing producers
to deliver the overseas distribution rights of their movies, which fetched
him millions of dollars.
Salem is now out of action since
he has been in a jail in Lisbon for several months in connection with a
series of criminal charges, including use of a fake passport. Some of the
former members of his gang have apparently formed a new group which has
turned its attention to film world.
Mainstream producers have been reluctant
to deal with anybody from the underworld. But in the past, some of them
have been forced to sell the overseas rights of their movies to the Salem
gang for a song. After the arrest of leading producer and financier Bharat
Shah by the Mumbai police four years ago, these producers are refusing
to have anything to do with the bhais. Shah has been acquitted. Nevertheless,
established Bollywood producers have preferred to seek police protection
rather than mess with the gangs.
Following the police crackdown,
the underworld has also stopped financing Hindi films. Dawood Ibrahim,
Chhota Rajan and other gang leaders not only financed films at one time,
but also decided on the star cast. But now, fears of the men in khaki have
forced many producers to take money from Shikarpuri Sindhis who have traditionally
financed Hindi movies. Chhota Rajan's brother Deepak Nikhalje had produced
the superhit film Vaastav apparently with the help of his 'bhai'.
