The recent attack on actor Saif Ali Khan has once again highlighted concerns over the safety of Bollywood celebrities. The incident, reminiscent of a time when the underworld dominated Mumbai, raises pressing questions about the security arrangements for film industry figures.
Early Thursday morning, a man allegedly broke into Khan's Bandra residence with an intent to rob and attacked him with a knife. During the scuffle, a household worker also sustained injuries. Mumbai Police has assigned seven teams to investigate the case.
Although the involvement of an organized crime syndicate in this attack has not been confirmed, it harks back to an era when underworld influence loomed large over Bollywood. High-profile figures lived under constant threat, targeted for extortion or personal vendettas.
A History of Fear and Violence
The late 1990s and early 2000s were particularly notorious for underworld activities in Bollywood:
Mukesh Duggal Murder (1997):
Producer Mukesh Duggal was shot dead in a gang-related conflict, reportedly due to disputes over financing his films.
Attack on Rajiv Rai (1997): Shooters linked to Chhota Shakeel ambushed the filmmaker outside his Tardeo office. A police constable accompanying Rai saved his life by returning fire.
Gulshan Kumar’s Assassination (1997): T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar was gunned down in broad daylight in Versova. Abu Salem’s gang carried out the murder allegedly at the behest of rivals.
Rakesh Roshan Attack (2000): Weeks after the release of Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, Chhota Shakeel’s shooters targeted Roshan outside his Santa Cruz office. Quick medical assistance saved his life.
Ajit Diwani Killing (2001): Abu Salem’s gang killed Manisha Koirala’s secretary Ajit Diwani for refusing extortion demands.
Lawrence D’Souza Attack (2002): Filmmaker Lawrence D’Souza survived an attack orchestrated by gangster Ejaz Lakdawala.
There were also foiled plans, such as an attempted abduction of actor Aamir Khan and filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker after the success of Lagaan.
Bollywood’s Role in Underworld Connections
Retired ACP Avinash Dharmadhikari, who investigated many such cases, believes Bollywood’s vulnerability to extortion was partly self-inflicted. “Some industry figures willingly allowed underworld elements to infiltrate their business, seeking easy funding for films,” he said.
He cited an infamous case involving Madhuri Dixit, where Dawood Ibrahim’s brother Anees allegedly plotted her murder after she refused to attend an event in Dubai.
Police Action and Current Threats
The Mumbai Police countered underworld influence through a rigorous encounter policy and strict enforcement of the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). Key gang leaders were either imprisoned or eliminated, leading to the decline of Mumbai’s underworld.
However, recent activities suggest a resurgence. The murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique last year was linked to the Bishnoi gang, which has reportedly set its sights on Bollywood. Salman Khan, who has faced threats from the gang since his involvement in the blackbuck poaching case, was targeted in a shooting outside his Bandra home.
While the Saif Ali Khan case might not directly involve organized crime, it has reignited debates about celebrity security. In an industry that continues to attract global attention, ensuring the safety of its icons is paramount.
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