Chori Chori... producer arrested, film's release hangs in balance

Entertainment Bureau

The release of the Salman Khan-starrer Chori Chori Chupke Chupke hangs in balance with the arrest of its producer, Nazim Rizvi.

He was arrested on Wednesday for his alleged nexus with the underworld. The Bombay police, it is learnt, had placed Rizvi under surveillance for several months.

After the film was announced, there was speculation in trade circles that CCCC had underworld connections. That one of the industry's most respected figures, financier Bharat Shah, was funding the project did not stop the movie trade from discussing the men behind the scenes.

Rizvi has, in the past, made two non-starcast films -- in trade parlance, 'C' grade proposals.

The first was Apaatkaal, (1993 ); the second, Angaar Vadee (1998).

Many an eyebrow was raised when the producer of such low-budget films suddenly announced an 'A' grade set-up with Salman, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta in the cast, directed by Abbas Mustan.

Rizvi was arrested from his office at Sameer Apartments, Seven Bungalows, Andheri, northwest Bombay.

The Direction of Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department has registered an offence under Sections 302, 115 read with 387, 120 (B) read with 3(1)(ii), 3(2), 3(3), 3(4) Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999.

Rizvi, it is alleged, has links with Karachi-based ganglord 'Chhota' Shakeel and has been in touch with him regularly, to report developments regarding the production and release of CCCC.

The police also allege that Rizvi and Shakeel had entered into a criminal conspiracy and had plans to attack some film personalities.

The middle-aged producer was produced at the crime branch, Crawford Market, south Bombay, at 1550 hours on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, it is not clear if CCCC will hit the screens on December 22 as scheduled.

If any of the sections Rizvi has been charged under gives the police the right to seize his assets and properties, the film may not release on December 22. For, in that case, the film's negatives will be or, indeed, may already have been seized.