A former Mumbai Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), D Shivanandhan, has made a shocking revelation that has revived old discussions about Bollywood’s alleged underworld connections in the 1990s.
In a recent interview with ANI, Shivanandhan claimed that iconic 90s films like Satya and Company were among the prominent projects funded by underworld dons Dawood Ibrahim and Abu Salem.
That era in Bollywood, overshadowed by the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and the assassination of music baron Gulshan Kumar, saw the film industry deeply intertwined with extortion, coercion, and high-interest loans.
Shivanandhan alleged that several actors, singers, and actresses were regularly flown to Dubai to perform at events hosted by underworld figures. One such event, he said, was a lavish celebration organised by Dawood for his daughter’s wedding, attended by around 83 celebrities on a chartered flight.
The former cop also recalled a particularly startling confession by Govinda, who reportedly admitted to dancing at Dawood’s parties. Quoting the actor, Shivanandhan said Govinda once remarked, “Hum kya karein?” (What could we do?), highlighting the helplessness of stars under such pressure.
Experts believe this period offers a glimpse into Bollywood’s early struggles when legitimate funding options were limited, forcing many to depend on underground financiers.
While there are no official legal records confirming these specific allegations, Shivanandhan’s claims align with past exposés and statements made by other industry insiders over the years.
