During the 1990s, the Hindi film industry was deeply influenced — even controlled — by the underworld, with dons like Dawood Ibrahim and Abu Salem dictating everything from funding to casting. As filmmakers began exploring the dark world of crime through movies like Satya and Company, a shocking claim has emerged — that many of these very films were allegedly financed by the mafia itself.
In an interview with ANI, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Sivanandhan revealed that several iconic films from that era — including Satya, Company, Daddy, Shootout at Lokhandwala, and Shootout at Wadala — were reportedly funded and influenced by the underworld. “These films were made to glorify gangsters. They were all funded and financed by them,” he stated.
Sivanandhan further added that even earlier cult classics like Deewaar and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar bore traces of underworld influence. Interestingly, the character played by actor Mohanlal in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company was based on Sivanandhan himself.
Recalling the immense power of the dons, the former top cop shared chilling details: “Dawood Ibrahim could summon any film actress to Dubai, shower them with gifts, and send them back.” He remembered witnessing “one of the biggest stars” flying with nearly 80 other performers on a special flight to Dubai to perform for Dawood’s daughter’s event.
According to Sivanandhan, actors and producers of that era often had no choice but to comply. “They couldn’t say no — and honestly, we had no way to protect them,” he admitted. He even recalled actor Govinda once telling him, “Hum kya karein? Jaake naach ke aayein hai (What could we do? We went and danced).”
The fear was real and widespread. Many producers faced threats, and some even paid with their lives. “Remember Gulshan Kumar?” Sivanandhan said, referring to the T-Series founder who was murdered in broad daylight in Mumbai — a chilling reminder of the underworld’s grip on Bollywood during that era.
