In Bollywood, the mob’s on the phone again

The actual figure could be much higher, since such calls are not always reported. Over 42 industry people have been already been provided security cover in the last two months.

The calls are coming from Guru Satam, Hemant Pujari, Bunty Pande and Ijaz Lakdawala, who broke away from Rajan and struck out on their own, and the targets are small-time producers, directors and financiers. On an average, the initial demand has been for around Rs 1 crore, which could get scaled down to Rs 50-70 lakh.

The fight for the Bollywood pie has traditionally been between Chhota Shakeel and Abu Salem. But Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sridhar Wagal confirmed that some former Rajan shooters were trying to make their presence felt. Some cases have been registered in recent weeks, but there is no cause for alarm, Wagal said. ‘‘These small-time lieutenants want to follow in the footsteps of their mentors and make quick money.’’

Rajan’s former aide Hemant Pujari recently called up an action hero and demanded Rs 1 crore. Former Rajan lieutenant Bunty Pande threatened a prominent singer. And even before this singer could recover from this call, there was another one, this time for Guru Satam.

At least 20 prominent Bollywood celebrities have been threatened by Abu Salem in the past, including actress Manisha Koirala, Rakesh Roshan and Aamir Khan.