Govinda Performed at Underworld-Linked Event, IPS Officer Alleges
Govinda admitted to performing for a Dubai-based don, but police took no action, understanding that actors had little choice and feared for their safety. The Hindi film industry in the 1990s operated like the Wild West, with the underworld exerting immense control over Bollywood.
Throughout the decade, gangsters like Dawood Ibrahim and Abu Salem tightened their grip on producers, directors, and actors, who were compelled to comply with their demands.
Underworld's Influence on Bollywood Films
Filmmakers such as Ram Gopal Varma began making movies based on the underworld during the late 1990s. Films like Satya and Company gained recognition, but according to the era’s top police officer, these films were also financed by gangsters.
D Sivanandhan, Joint CP Crime Mumbai (1998-2001):
"Films like Satya, Company, Daddy, Shootout At Wadala, Shootout At Lokhandwala were made to lift the image of the gangsters. They were all funded and financed by them only."
Mohanlal’s character in RGV’s Company was reportedly based on Sivanandhan himself. The officer further stated that even 1970s films, such as Deewaar and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, had gangster funding behind them.
Control Over Film Production
Since the underworld heavily financed these movies, they maintained complete control over the filmmaking process during the 1990s.
This control extended to the industry’s creative and business decisions, highlighting the deep-rooted influence gangsters had over Bollywood at that time.
Summary
The 1990s Bollywood industry was under extensive underworld influence, with gangsters financing films to shape their public image and control the industry, as revealed by senior police officer D Sivanandhan.