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December     Last updated: December 30 : 7:00 p.m.

Beyond Chori Chori Chupke Chupke

Aarti

The events leading to the seizure of negatives of multi-crore Bollywood film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, (just before release) and the arrest of its producer Nazim Hassan Rizvi has generated sharp reactions from several quarters. With investigations underway, the reported admission of Rizvi of having links with the underworld has brought into sharp focus the unholy filmdom-underworld links. The hero of the film Salman Khan has been intensely interrogated whereas the other artistes including Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta playing leading roles in the film are to be summoned.

The incident, depicting symptoms of a deeper malaise, was also discussed in the current Lok Sabha session by some MPs voicing serious concern over the threats being extended by mafia dons to the Mumbai film industry. Besides exercising considerable influence in real estate, construction and hotel, reports of the film industry also coming under the grip of the underworld in recent times has sent shock waves therein. Producer Javed Riyaz and actor Sarfraz Khan in mid 1994, quickly followed by Mukesh Duggal, Rajiv Rai, (both film producers) and T-Series owner Gulshan Kumar—all fell victims to the acts of violence unleashed by the unscrupulous underworld gangsters. Hindi actor-turned director Rakesh Roshan, who apparently is said to have refused the overseas rights of his runaway hit film Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai to the goons, was quite lucky to survive the six bullets pumped into him on January 21 this year.

According to media reports despite some 250 Hindi films produced in a year, only a fifth of them are able to break even. With several film stars depending on the underworld to make a mark in the filmdom and producers as well approaching them for favours, the circle is ostensibly vicious. Sometimes the mafia is said to have an upper hand in deciding whom to cast and how the plot should run or be altered as well. Artistes are also said to receive threats to sign up for a film at one-fourth their fee. Notably, information on various aspects like who makes a new movie, who is signed and what kind of money is offered, including the news of someone getting the ransom call going to the police, etc, get passed on to the underworld. Beyond aspiring to acquire overseas rights for every good film, (with some of the Hindi films doing quite well in the West and South-East Asian countries) even before a film is released, it is not uncommon for the dons to demand the cassettes free of cost.

In case of box office hits, the mafia never fails to call up the director or producer for extortion. Some reports suggest when about Rs 3 crore was demanded from the producer of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge, the hero of the film, Shah Rukh Khan did a live show abroad and the proceeds went to the mafia. With the shadow of underworld fear lurking large, the list of film personalities provided with security has been steadily growing. To help the film industry overcome the panic in the aftermath of the Rakesh Roshan shootout, the Indian film producers' association had even sought the help of Union Government. Since such security arrangement cannot go on forever, it is all the more necessary to get cracking.

Before writing a new script for the Bollywood, it merits a through cleansing. Among others, in order to improve the quality of films, it is all the more important to keep unscrupulous elements at bay apart from uncompromising emphasis on originality. Since cinema has been already declared an industry by the Union Government, it is imperative to adopt requisite management planning and control measures to ensure sustainability in the long run. In terms of finance, selling shares can help raise money. Besides guaranteeing a fair level playing field and transparency in all dealings, formulation of a self-regulation code, encompassing working conditions, hours of work, fee, etc, in respect of all artistes can ensure healthy competition. It needs to be recognised by everyone in the film industry that much can be achieved by team spirit. Above all, such actions have to be supported by solid political will to beget the desired objective.