The 1990s was a time when the Indian film industry, Bollywood, was heavily influenced by the underworld, particularly by the notorious don Dawood Ibrahim. Several celebrities had close ties with him, a fact that was revealed by journalist and author Hussain Zaidi. Zaidi has spoken extensively about the deep connections between Dawood and various Bollywood actors, producers, and directors, including the likes of Rishi Kapoor and Dilip Kumar. It’s astonishing to note that being associated with Dawood was once considered a badge of honor.
In a conversation with PinkVilla, Hussain Zaidi shed light on how Dawood’s proximity to the film industry was not driven by a desire to make money from films. Instead, he had a deep affection for Hindi cinema and was fascinated by the actresses. Whenever film stars visited Dubai, Dawood would host dinner parties for them. For instance, Dilip Kumar, Rishi Kapoor, and Amjad Khan have all spoken about their encounters with Dawood in interviews, and he even gifted them expensive presents. His interest in Bollywood was not about financial gain but about being part of the glamour and glitz surrounding the industry.
Dawood’s Love for the Film Industry
When allegations of extortion from the Hindi film industry surfaced, Zaidi had the opportunity to interview Dawood. The journalist asked Dawood about his influence on Bollywood, and Dawood responded by saying that he loved the film industry and that there was no need for people to fear him. He attributed the fear factor to Abu Salem, who was known for extorting money from filmmakers. Dawood’s fascination with the film world was evident, and he enjoyed being around the stars and the glamour that came with it.
Dawood’s Friendship was a Matter of Pride for Industry Folks
Hussain Zaidi emphasized the extent of Dawood’s clout in the film industry, highlighting how many people boasted about their connections with him. “He knew everyone – producers, directors, stars, and actresses. At that time, people took pride in talking about their friendship with Dawood. I won’t name anyone, but they would say things like, ‘I just spoke to bhai on the phone.’ Being in touch with Dawood was a status symbol. Since the police grip was not strong back then, everyone was in touch with him, and they didn’t see anything wrong with it.”
Dawood’s Funding Practices
Zaidi also explained how Dawood utilized the film industry to launder his black money. “He wouldn’t fund films as a producer, but he would lend money. At that time, there weren’t many studios, so people would take money from Dawood and invest it in their films. He would lend them the money, and after the film’s release, they would return it to him as white money. This way, his black money would become legit.” This practice allowed Dawood to maintain a connection with the film industry while also serving his financial interests.