Film maker Ram Gopal Varma It goes back to one of Bollywood’s toughest times: the 1990s, when the world of Hindi cinema was controlled by Mumbai gangsters. Then there were threats to get money, foreign funding and pressure on casting from criminal gangs led by people like that. Dawood Ibrahim. Varma explained why big names like Rakesh Roshan and Gulshan Kumar were attacked.
How gangsters Ram Gopal Varma used fear instead of chaos
In a discussion with crime master Hussain Zaidi on his YouTube channel, Varma clarified that the gangsters did not resort to aimless attacks; instead, they used scare tactics. “When the underworld wants to show its power, how does it do it? Targeting big names: Rakesh Roshan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan“, he said, adding that these criminals often saw themselves as heroic and ruthless figures.
Ram Gopal Varma explains control, not just money
Varma said it wasn’t just about money, it was about being dominant. “To become a ‘hero’, they have to dominate someone bigger. These are big stars, you can’t get that.” Hrithik Roshanthe dates of So they create fear. The idea is: if the star refuses, what will happen to him?”. He expressed uncertainty about the real culprits behind the threats, Chhota Shakeel, Dawood Ibrahim’s gang or someone else. “Many people did not give in to the demands of the gangsters, so they had to set an example: ‘Look what happened to him, it can happen to you too.’ There is a saying in the underground world: “Kill one, get money for ten.”‘”
Ram Gopal Varma links the panic to the shooting of Rakesh Roshan
This atmosphere of panic was directly linked to Rakesh Roshan’s shooting in January 2000, immediately after ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’ became a hit. “They wanted Hrithik Roshan’s dates. The plan was to do a film together, there would be a name first, but Chhota Shakeel would control things from behind. Rakesh Roshan resisted that, and that’s why the shots were fired,” said Varma.
Attack on Rakesh Roshan in January 2000
On January 21, 2000, gunmen shot Rakesh Roshan outside his office in what most believed to be an underground revenge. He pulled. Reflecting on Gangster’s push for Hrithik’s shoot dates, Rakesh shared in a 2025 Bollywood Hungama interview, “I never gave a thought that Hrithik could do a film for them. I kept putting him off by saying that Hrithi didn’t have a date, which was true anyway. I was then asked to take down the dates from other producers and give them to them. This again, I refused.’ He called that period “full of fear”.
Ram Gopal Varma on the reasons behind Gulshan Kumar’s murder
On the August 1997 killing of Gulshan Kumar, Varma highlighted the mix of converging actors. “At one point, Gulshan Kumar was very successful, people were jealous. He was bringing in new talent and making money,” he said, explaining how the blame often fell unfairly on him. “If something went wrong, the first reaction was ‘Gulshan Kumar must have done something.'” That was the mindset. Some people would meet Abu Salem and, out of jealousy, would say things about Gulshan Kumar. As a result, he might think that killing him would make him a ‘hero’. I’m not justifying it, but that was one of the reasons.” He also referred to unpaid extortion threats and Kumar’s defiance. “He was not someone to be intimidated. A man of his size would not be intimidated by a phone call.’ Varma also emphasized Abu Salem’s aim to break free from D-Company and build his name. “He saw this as his ‘film’, his big move. After Gulshan Kumar’s death, Abu Salem became more famous than Dawood Ibrahim for a while.
Ram Gopal Varma’s memory of Gulshan Kumar’s assassination day
Varma recalled the day of the murder, August 12, 1997, saying, “I was resting Jhamu Sugandhhome when he received the call. Immediately after shaking it, he went to Gulshan Kumar’s house”. The filmmaker, known for portraying the Mumbai gang in films like Satya, Company and D, has long drawn inspiration from these true stories.
Ram Gopal Varma on Bollywood’s deep ties to Mumbai’s underworld
In the 1990s, Bollywood caught up with Mumbai’s gangsters on every level, from ringleaders to rumored control over casting and cash flows. An air of silent dread hung over the industry. D. Sivanandhan, Mumbai’s Joint CP (Crime) from 1998-2001, in his book 2025 stated that films like Satya, Company, Daddy, Shootout at Wadala and Shootout at Lokhandwala “raised the image of gangsters and were funded and funded by them alone”.Pictures from that decade captured Hindi film stars alongside Middle Eastern mob bosses.
D. Sivanandhan on star call to Dubai
In an interview with ANI, D. Sivanandhan revealed that top stars were promised to Dubai without any option to refuse. “Dawood Ibrahim can call film actors to Dubai and give awards and bring them back.” He further described how actors would go there to perform in shows requested by mob bosses.
