Bhais make television new target

The Televisionpoint.com Saturday Special | Sitaram Sundalia
When television producer-director Anand Mahendroo was shot at by some anti-social elements recently, people started talking about 'underworld' stepping into the world of television after threatening the film industry for several years. Even though the 'Anand-Mahendroo-episode' was finally accepted as the handi-work of an ex-employee and not the underworld, it has opened up a Pandora's box inviting comments from all sectors.

When we dug into the matter, we came across certain facts, which were quite shocking. As per the sources, in the last three years, around seven television producers have filed complaints with the police asking for police protection. These reports were not made public for the obvious reasons.

According to an official of 'Anti Extortion Cell', the underworld has also invested money in certain TV serial production companies, the activities of which are already under surveillance. The said officer also added that the underworld, collectively, have withdrawn money to the tune of Rs 1,700 crores from films and have invested approximately Rs 800 crores in television and rest in real estate. Citing the reason of 'being a sensitive and secret issue' the same officer divulged the fact that more than 17 television producers have been given the plain clothed police protection, but declined to name them.

As per the police sources, seeing the growth rate of television, underworld don Dawood Ibrahim started a news and entertainment channel in Nepal and following him, his rivals like Chhota Rajan, Ashwin Naik and Arun Gawli also started investing money in television production through their chartered accountants and stock brokers.

The trend of using underworld money in TV production had started into late 90s (1998-99 to be precise) and big production houses were involved into this. One such 'big' producer, who was producing almost eight serials at that time, was then called to Singapore and Australia to give account of the business and following some dispute with the bhai, his company was out of work for almost two years till he made some settlement with the underworld. Rise and fall of the above producer, who also happens to be related to a big name in the film industry, made the police sit this and find evidences against him and such other production houses.

Even though, in the 'Anand Mahendroo Episode', the ex-servant has taken up the responsibility, the Anti Corruption Bureau and Anti Extortion Cell of Mumbai Police is not too keen to buy this logic and is continuing with its investigation. An official from the 'organised crime cell' said on the terms of anonymity that its not only production houses who are linked-up with the underworld, there are actors also, who work, rather are forced to perform for bhais in the shows organised by them. TV actors work harder and are cheaper for them.

Most of the film actors are shying away from making public appearances in their shows held abroad and at the same time, they are costlier. While with the TV actors, they come cheap and they are also very popular with the audience. Those who don't listen to the underworld, are threatened and even have to pay money. Till recently, people thought there is no money in television, so why would anyone want to extort money from actors. But given the fact that till a few years back, on an average, an actor who used to earn Rs 2,000 per day is asking as much as Rs, 1,00,000 today. Its but obvious that the underworld is keeping their eyes open. With publicity of these TV stars buying new houses, expensive cars and gadgets making headlines everyday, they have also found them to be an easy target.

It's easy money and glamour (with all those raunchy actresses doing item numbers) which encourages the underworld to put their money. Police further adds that there are four event management companies and 30 production houses who have had links with the underworld, but police cannot do anything since there is no evidence and no one is complaining.

It's reported that, with the help from the underworld, producers arrange for shoots abroad so that actors can become popular and then they can be encashed in shows in those countries. Police's 'Crime Investigation Cell' is keeping a close tab on 'suddenly-grown-big' production houses, which also includes a production house owned by a member of parliament. "Film producers siphoned off underworld money, so, there was trouble and many of them got shot at, but that is not the case in television as of now. All of them are paying the dons on time and so, there is no such problem in sight right now", says a police official.

Even though no one confirmed or declined the news, its said that actors like Shekhar Suman, Dheeraj Kumar, Madhushree Dutt etc. have got threats from the underworld and have been given police protection. And if this connection is not sorted out, TV is going to go the film way with daily shoot-outs making the headlines.