Bollywood is back to silent mode with Salem’s extradiction

While family members said he was away on a film shoot, the guard at Dutt’s Pali Hill residence, Imperial Heights, revealed, ‘‘Baba toh subah se 11th floor par hai (Baba has been on the 11th floor since morning).’’

Since Monday, when Abu Salem reportedly spilled on his role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts, Dutt has been in hectic consultation with top criminal lawyers on the various implications of Salem’s confession. He’s been advised to keep a low profile.

Apparently, the rule also applies to his friends in the film industry.

‘‘Sanju was planning a double celebration for Priya’s election victory and the birth of her son, Siddharth. But when we heard the Salem stuff we decided to keep away,’’ says an actor on condition of anonymity.

This is a typical Bollywood knee-jerk reaction.

Since Salem’s extradition, the late ’90s code of silence—when there was maximum underworld interference—is back in full force. Once again, phones are on voice mail and nobody’s in the mood to celebrate anything.

Director David Dhawan won’t comment on anything related to Monica Bedi, who starred in his 2001 film Jodi No. 1. These days the comedy specialist is so wary of unknown phone numbers he’s asked his son Rohit to handle the details of his forthcoming Salman Khan-Govinda starrer Partners. Showman Subhash Ghai has already made his stance clear with the standard ‘‘No comments on this topic’’ SMS he’s circulating to all queries. One top actor says he soon going to change his cellphone number.

Recently, actor Suniel Shetty missed the press conference of his film Deewane Huye Paagal. Though medical reasons were cited, Bollywood insiders murmur that Dutt’s buddy isn’t taking any chances of his own. The fear wave has affected everyone. Venus Tapes and Records has put on hold the celebratory bash planned for Garam Masala, the year’s latest hit.

‘‘I’ve nothing to do with all this Underworld stuff. We’ll definitely do something grand but it’s not urgent,’’ says Venus co-owner Ratan Jain, adding that he would celebrate after he launched his next film with the same team.

On further prodding, Jain adds: ‘‘Anyway, this is not the time to throw a bash.’’

Salem custody till Dec 7

MUMBAI: Extradited gangster Abu Salem was on Wednesday remanded to judicial custody in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blast case till December 7 after CBI told the special TADA court that it do not need his custody for the time being. The TADA court ordered that he may be kept in Central Prison at Arthur Road. Mumbai Police has sought production warrant for Salem in Pradeep Jain case. — PTI