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INTERVIEW:
CHHOTA SHAKEEL
"They
only understand force"
 Chhota
Shakeel, an aide of Dawood Ibrahim who is emerging as a challenger, spoke
to Special Correspondent Sheela Raval on
phone from Karachi. Excerpts:
Q. In
an earlier interview, you had denied any links with the Hindi film industry.
Now you are one of the main accused in the Rizvi case.
A.
It
was true then that there was no direct involvement anywhere. But times
change. When the other two gangs (of Chhota Rajan and Abu Salem) are making
money openly from the film world, why not us? Today we are involved in
everything-from extorting money to financing films and helping whoever
comes to us with genuine requests.
Q. What
kind of help?
A.
I have helped many top producers financially. We must have made 20-25
films and earned profits too. Ten more are on the floor today. Instead
of extorting money from film personalities, we thought we'd do business
with them. And doing business is not a crime. But it seems the industry
and the Mumbai Police don't like our idea of being straight. The filmwallahs
seem to only understand the language of bullets. So be it.
Q. Was
it a business deal with Rizvi for Chori Chori Chupke Chupke?
A.
I hardly know Rizvi. He was put behind bars for the wrong reasons. If
knowing us is a crime, then why didn't the police arrest Rajan's brother
who made Vaastav? Why not Salem's fronts who are producing films for him
and organising shows? I have not invested any thing in CCCC.
Q. But
the Mumbai Police claim they have concrete evidence of your direct involvement
in the film ...
A.
There
are some 20 cases against me, this is just one more. I am not bothered.
Money was invested by Bharat Shah. But when I lose something, I will not
keep quiet. I am not silly to wait for a so-called Rs 6 crore profit,
which I can collect within a minute if I want. One call is enough to make
crores.
Q. Evidence
with the police reveals that you were speaking to Rizvi about "eliminating"
Rakesh Roshan and pressuring Hrithik to work in his new project ...
A.
Rakesh Roshan is a hypocrite. I had asked for money because I had information
that he had paid Rs 2 crore to the other two gangs. His father-in-law
requested me that we should not demand so much money as Hrithik had just
begun his career. Inspite of having concrete information about payments
made by them at Moti Mahal in Andheri and through hawala at Zaveri Bazar,
I considered his request and asked if Hrithik could act in one of our
films. It was not an unreasonable demand. They had agreed. Then they went
ahead and complained against us.
Q. So
you used pressure tactics?
A.
I am mad with them because of their doublespeak. Lato ke bhut baton se
nahi mante (some people only understand the language of force).
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