TIME FOR DOOM... OR HOPE

Everytime one feels that the dust has settled, that perhaps the cobwebs have cleared, the scandal raises its ugly head again. The demons continue to haunt, and everytime truth appears stranger than fiction. For almost four years now, we’ve been talking about the nexus between the underworld and the filmdom, but despite recurring shoot-outs and extortion threats, we have failed to resolve the problem.

In the wake of every new crisis, there is a predictable pattern of behaviour. After the initial alarm there are strong statements by the spokesman of the industry followed by tall claims from the existing ruling party heads. The media provokes strong debates in print and the film industry after the first flush of bravado, as usual, reverts to a non-committal stand.

A pall of gloom persists for a long time but we choose to overlook obvious give-aways of the underworld dealings where top stars offer bulk dates to relatively unknown producers to complete shooting at a stretch. The frequently changing mobile numbers and tightening of security by film folks were indications of a bigger peril to come. The police time and again complained that despite threatening calls from the underworld, the industry folks refused to seek their help and it was to take grip of the problem that Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime (MCOC), Act 1999 was established to curb such activities.

On December 13, amidst high drama, the Mumbai police arrested Nazeem Rizvi, producer of Chori Chori Chupke Chupke. Charged with conspiracy to kill leading cinema stars, Rizvi was under close scrutiny for a fortnight before the police confirmed their suspicion of Rizvi being the conduit for Chhota Shakeel, Dawood Ibrahim’s right hand.

Rizvi’s arrest is the most concrete step that the police has taken to expose the nexus between the underworld and the filmdom. The first serious action to highlight the use of slush money in the film business. A police source informs that for quite some time now Chhota Shakeel has been taking an active interest in film business. There are stories that he has been urging Venus audio cassettes to buy over the rights. And what’s depressing is that he is supported by a top Union minister. It is said that Rizvi got wind of his arrest and tried to pull some strings, but the officers swung into action and surprised Rizvi instead.

As of now the negatives of Chori Chori Chupke Chupke slated for release on December 22, have been seized. Bharat Shah, the film’s financier, is moving court to ensure that the release date is not postponed. His argument being that the rights are with him and there are other people (exhibitors and distributors) who have invested in the project too. Shah has emphasised that every penny has been accounted for and he has enough money of his own and does not need to borrow from anyone else. The interrogation, however, continues. Of Bharat Shah, Abbas-Mustan, Salman Khan, the two leading ladies, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukerji and very soon, everyone connected to them. Rizvi, in the meanwhile, has confessed his links with the underworld, confessed that they financed his films. He has admitted to planning the murder of Rakesh Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan and of threatening director David Dhawan and music directors Jatin-Lalit.

The matter as we all know hasn’t ended. In fact, it has just begun. The police are checking the entries on the passport of leading cinema personalities to trace their activities abroad. They are tracing the funds behind the newly launched production companies. Tracing income tax records and foreign bank accounts.

Intelligence agencies are keeping tabs on under-production films and any uncharacteristic development. What aroused their suspicion in the case of Chori Chori... is that whereas a regular Abbas-Mustan film takes more than a year to complete, this was ready in six months. They are tapping phones and questioning funds behind newly acquired assets.

The investigation into the underworld connection is bound to open a pandora’s box. A lot of filth is going to spill over. Not to forget the huge financial losses. Just Chori Chori... has an investment of Rs 12,7 crore and another Rs. 3 crores pending payments to artistes. Plus two major films on the cards financed by Bharat Shah: Ajay Devgan’s Raju Chacha and Rajkumar Santoshi’s Lajja which in the given situation could be delayed indefinitely.

Also, any setback to Shah is bound to affect the entertainment stocks so Zee Telefilms closed on Rs 297.15 against Rs 328 while Jeetendra’s Balaji Telefilms, Subhash Ghai’s Mukta Arts and music for Tips Industries fell by eight per cent. Already Shah’s partner Ketan Parekh to avoid controversy has deinvested in the shares, as a result, the BSE Sensex has fallen by 133 points and brokers predict a further fall. This is the first instance of film scrips not securing good ratings from the market. Apparently Amitabh Bachchan’s AB Corp which was with the Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction till recently was planning a public issue to cash in on the entertainment stocks. Now, this will have to be postponed. So will a number of shootings and releases. The bigwigs connected to the financier are frightened that they might be summoned at any time for interrogation.

The sleazy side of showbiz may destroy a lot of dreams, but the Mumbai police is on a war footing. They are determined to fight accusations of lack of security each time there is an assault on a film personality. And the effect seems to be positive. Filmfolks seem to be in a trusting mood. Following the arrest of Rizvi, the police have received their first complaint against the don from a film producer. Seems like it is time for doom... Or should we say hope?