The connection between Bollywood and the underworld is a tale as dramatic as the films themselves, rooted deeply in the 1980s and 90s. During this time, the Bollywood film industry was booming, and so was Mumbai’s mafia, with underworld dons like Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Shakeel, and Abu Salem wielding immense power over filmmakers, financiers, and actors. The line between cinema and crime was often blurred, with the mafia funding films, extorting producers, and even influencing casting decisions. However, this dark relationship took a backseat in the 2000s, only for fear of gangsters to resurface recently, thanks to one man—Lawrence Bishnoi.
In the 80s and 90s, Mumbai’s underworld bosses had a stranglehold on Bollywood. Their financial muscle allowed them to “invest” in films, and with it came an array of demands—from specific actors in lead roles to script adjustments. Actors, directors, and producers who didn’t comply often faced dire consequences, ranging from extortion threats to physical attacks.
Bollywood stars had no choice but to bow to these demands, as refusing could invite shootings, kidnappings, or bombings. Famous cases include the 1997 assassination of music mogul Gulshan Kumar, who was killed by underworld hitmen after allegedly refusing to pay protection money. The influence of the mafia extended to casting decisions, and some stars were said to be close to figures like Dawood Ibrahim, adding fuel to the rumor mills. In 1993, Bollywood’s connection to the underworld made national headlines with the Bombay bomb blasts, for which several film personalities were questioned.
Films like Vaastav and Company mirrored real-life events, offering a glimpse into the Bollywood-underworld nexus, often leaving audiences wondering if life was imitating art.
By the early 2000s, the underworld’s grip on Bollywood began to loosen. A crackdown by law enforcement, along with global pressure on organized crime, forced many top dons to flee India. As Mumbai became increasingly policed, the mafia’s overt influence on Bollywood projects declined. The rise of corporate funding and the influence of big production houses meant filmmakers no longer had to rely on shady underworld money.
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Big stars, like Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, steered clear of underworld associations, and filmmakers found new ways to finance their films through foreign investments, distribution deals, and the rise of Bollywood’s overseas market. By the mid-2000s, Bollywood had largely freed itself from the shadows of organized crime, focusing more on professionalism and corporate partnerships.
However, just when Bollywood thought it had rid itself of gangster influence, Lawrence Bishnoi, a gangster with deep political and criminal connections, has brought back that fear. His feud with Salman Khan is the starkest reminder of how one man can hold an entire industry on edge. The Bishnoi gang’s roots are far from the traditional underworld clans of the 90s—they stem from rural criminal syndicates that have grown powerful in recent years. Bishnoi first gained notoriety when he threatened to kill Salman Khan for allegedly hunting a blackbuck, an animal sacred to the Bishnoi community.
The Salman Khan-Bishnoi feud took a violent turn when Bishnoi’s gang attempted to assassinate the actor multiple times. This battle reached its zenith when the gang claimed responsibility for the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, a close ally of Salman Khan. The gang, through its henchmen and social media channels, has openly warned Salman and his associates to “prepare for the worst.” Bishnoi’s network is not only after Khan but anyone connected to him, with rumors swirling that even rapper AP Dhillon has been targeted for his proximity to the actor.
While the traditional Bollywood-underworld relationship was largely driven by financing, Bishnoi’s gang seems to be operating on a different agenda. His motivations are more personal and symbolic, revolving around honor and retribution. However, the fear he instills could have business consequences. Film projects associated with stars like Salman Khan may face insurance hikes, production delays, and security costs. Bishnoi’s influence also reminds industry professionals of how fragile Bollywood can be when crime rears its head—just like in the 90s, where extortion and threats dictated decision-making.
With organized crime once again making headlines in Bollywood, questions are being raised about the industry’s ability to truly distance itself from such forces. Corporate production houses may now need to reconsider risk factors and security measures when working with actors like Salman Khan, as the film business becomes entwined once again with underworld fears.
The golden era of Bollywood’s mafia ties may have faded, but the recent resurgence of gangster activity, led by Lawrence Bishnoi, serves as a reminder that the industry is never too far from its dark past. While the financial mafia connections of the 80s and 90s have mostly dissipated, fear and power still make their way into Bollywood—only now, it’s through personal vendettas rather than business deals. And as long as gangsters like Bishnoi have actors like Salman Khan in their crosshairs, the film industry will be forced to reckon with its violent history once again.
