Police review 'Devdas'
Investigation launched into whether hit pic has gangster ties
Indian police officials said this week that they have launched an investigation into whether the hit movie was funded by gangsters through producer/diamond dealer Bharat Shah, who previously was accused of receiving money from gangsters.
"We are investigating whether Shah was offered funds by the underworld to make 'Devdas,' " said Pradeep Shinde, head of Bombay police's anti-extortion unit. "Police are also looking into his complaint of receiving fresh threats, apparently from underworld kingpin Abu Salem."
Last week, Shah asked for police security after claiming he had been threatened by Karachi-based Salem, who wanted to talk to him about "Devdas." Shah has denied taking money from criminals. "I have not taken any money from Abu Salem. I do not even know Salem," Shah was quoted as saying by a local newspaper.
Shah previously was arrested for his alleged links with crime figures regarding film financing; he is out on bail.
Last week, local channel Star News received a call from someone calling himself Abu Salem, who said he had invested 480 million rupees ($9.6 million) in "Devdas." Pic reportedly cost 500 million rupees.
Shah, meanwhile, has appealed to the Indian Supreme Court to allow him to travel outside India on Aug. 31 to attend a family wedding. Police are opposed to the request.
Bollywood has long been suspected of having links to organized crime, especially after the arrest of actor Sanjay Dutt for his alleged role in a series of bombings that killed more than 300 people in Bombay in 1993. Dutt was jailed for more than 18 months but later released on bail. The case is under investigation.
Bollywood has been gripped by fear in recent weeks, especially after police revealed alleged plans by gangsters to kill actor Hrithik Roshan.
