Mumbai: A series of shootings and extortion threats targeting Mumbai film stars has pushed the film industry towards hiring security guards, reminiscent of the underworld's dominance over cinema in the 1990s.
History of Underworld Dominance in Cinema
These incidents have reignited concerns among artists following police actions that reduced the power of criminal gangs in this multi-billion dollar industry. The police link this violence to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a convicted criminal who, according to U.S. officials, runs a global crime network from prison.
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Ronit Roy, an actor and owner of a security agency, stated: "Stars are moving with guards by their side, and demand has increased dramatically. Requests are not limited to leading actors but also include their family members and children."
Threats and Shootings
Syed Hussain Zaidi, a writer and former journalist, noted that opportunistic criminals are exploiting the fame of well-known gangs. He said: "Some of these individuals are shooting in the air to intimidate the industry, and they have succeeded, as people are starting to believe that the era of mafia dominance in the 1990s has returned."
The latest incidents include the shooting of Tiger Shroff's car in Mumbai in October and a $600,000 extortion demand from Tushar Kapoor. The police have arrested 13 individuals under organized crime laws in connection with the October shooting, claiming that the act was aimed at extortion, consolidating gang dominance, and spreading fear.
The police have named Anil Pandit, a member of the Bishnoi gang, as a wanted person in this case and stated that other prominent figures are also under surveillance.
Film star Amitabh Bachchan recently greeted his fans from behind a bulletproof shield outside his home in Mumbai. Additionally, security around Shah Rukh Khan's house has increased in celebration of his birthday.
However, Zaidi emphasized that the biggest criminals of the 1990s are now dead, imprisoned, or inactive. He said: "The only criminal we hear about these days is Lawrence Bishnoi, and he is also in prison."
Impacts on the Film Industry
The late 1990s and early 2000s are considered some of the darkest periods for Bollywood, when criminal gangs used threats, extortion, and violence to influence film financing, casting, and distribution. These gangs included Dawood Ibrahim, a fugitive under UN sanctions and accused of involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bombings.
The influence of the underworld decreased as the police ramped up their actions, and with the support of laws enacted in 1999 to combat organized crime, the power of the gangs diminished. Additionally, corporate financing reduced the influence of criminals over the industry.
The Bishnoi gang has been linked to threats against Salman Khan, who has faced pressure due to allegations of poaching blackbucks in 1998. These animals are considered sacred in the Bishnoi community, a Hindu sect.
Indian authorities have also accused gang members of shooting outside Khan's home and involvement in the 2024 murder of Baba Siddique, a prominent politician associated with the film industry.
Following the shooting of Shroff, a social media post and voice message attributed to a member of the Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the act and referenced his proximity to Khan.
Rajiv Rai, the director of the successful film "Gupt," who faced extortion pressure in the late 1990s, said that the motivations are now harder to understand. He stated: "In the 1990s, we were aware of their agenda... loan sharking. Now we are told if you are a friend of Salman, we will kill you... what kind of agenda is this?"
Boney Kapoor, a producer who has previously been targeted by underworld gangs, believes that the recent wave of threats will be short-lived. He said: "I don't feel this kind of fear, but caution is necessary; these shootings cannot be ignored."
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