From Shah Rukh Khan to Salman: Bollywood stars targeted by the underworld

From Shah Rukh Khan to Salman: Bollywood stars targeted by the underworld

The recent killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique, known for his high-profile Iftar parties and Bollywood connections, outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s Mumbai office, has once again brought attention to the dangerous ties between showbiz and the underworld.

Siddique was allegedly targeted by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang due to his close relationship with actor Salman Khan. This incident adds to the history of Bollywood celebrities facing threats, extortion, and assassination attempts linked to the underworld.

Gulshan Kumar

In 1997, the killing of T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar shocked the nation. Kumar was shot dead by three assailants outside a temple in Andheri, Mumbai. Prior to his murder, he had received threat calls warning him of impending danger. The tragic incident highlighted the lethal reach of the underworld into Bollywood.

Salman Khan

Superstar Salman Khan has long been on the radar of the underworld. In 2018, incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi openly threatened to kill Khan in retaliation for his alleged involvement in the blackbuck poaching case from 1998. This year, gunshots were fired outside Khan's Bandra residence, allegedly by members of the Bishnoi gang. Security for the actor has since been tightened, especially after Siddique's murder, given their close bond.

Rakesh Roshan

In 2000, after the immense success of "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai," director Rakesh Roshan became a target of the underworld. His refusal to pay extortion money led to an assassination attempt, during which he was shot near his office in Mumbai. Despite being hit by two bullets, Roshan survived and managed to seek help, eventually being treated at Nanavati Hospital.

Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan has had several run-ins with the Mumbai underworld. In the 1990s, gangster Abu Salem threatened the actor multiple times. More recently, in October 2023, Khan was given Y+ security cover due to renewed threats to his life, underscoring the continued danger to Bollywood stars.

Preity Zinta

Actress Preity Zinta publicly revealed her ordeal of receiving threats from the underworld. In 2001, during legal proceedings related to the film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Zinta testified that she was asked to pay Rs 50 lakh. Her bravery in speaking out against underworld involvement in Bollywood made her a target, but also brought attention to the industry's darker side.

These incidents show how deeply intertwined Bollywood and the underworld have become, with celebrities continually facing life-threatening situations.