Varun Dhawan Reveals Family's Underworld Threat During Bollywood's Dark Days
In the 1990s, Bollywood endured one of its most terrifying and sinister periods, firmly under the grip of organized crime. Filmmakers and stars frequently faced blackmail calls, while gangsters invested heavily in movie productions. This era was marked by tragic violence, including the murders of producers Gulshan Kumar and Mukesh Duggal, which sent shockwaves through the industry.
Varun Dhawan's Personal Account of Family Threats
In a recent interview with Yuvaa, actor Varun Dhawan opened up about his family's own brush with this underworld menace. He recounted how they received threatening calls, but the situation took an unexpectedly humorous turn. “People were getting underworld calls at that time, and we were getting them too,” Varun explained. “We had been receiving them for quite some time, but we didn’t realize it because the staff was arguing with whoever was calling.”
He detailed that the staff even provided their full address and challenged the caller, saying, ‘Come meet me in that garden; I’ll beat you there.’ However, the tone changed dramatically when things escalated. “When things escalated, an actor called my dad and said that this had gone out of hand and that the person was now saying he would come with guns and that he knew our address and office timings,” Varun recalled.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that the staff member had inadvertently fueled the threat. “When my dad asked who had said this, he took the staff member’s name. So we had to stay somewhere else that day,” he added. Reflecting on the incident, Varun noted, “It is funny, but it is not funny actually,” highlighting the blend of absurdity and real danger that characterized those times.
Farah Khan's Memories of On-Set Tensions
Director and choreographer Farah Khan also shared her experiences from that volatile period during a conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia. She recalled being on a film set early in her career when producer Mukesh Duggal was shot dead in 1997 at his Seven Bungalows office in Andheri. “I remember I was on a film set. I had just started my career when Mukesh Duggal was shot,” she said, underscoring the pervasive fear that gripped the industry.
Karan Johar's Premiere Panic Amid Underworld Threats
Farah Khan further disclosed that filmmaker Karan Johar faced direct underworld threats around the premiere of his debut film, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.’ “I don’t know about Shah Rukh getting calls, but I do know that during the Kuch Kuch Hota Hai premiere, Karan Johar had received threats from the underworld,” she revealed.
Describing the atmosphere, she added, “It was very scary. Everyone was discussing whether the premiere should be cancelled or not. Security was increased, but we eventually went ahead with it.” She empathized with Karan's stress, saying, “Karan was extremely stressed; imagine it’s your first film and instead of celebrating it, you’re worrying about something like this.” This incident illustrates how the mafia's shadow loomed over even the most celebratory moments in Bollywood.
Varun Dhawan's Current Film Update
Meanwhile, Varun Dhawan is currently on a work break and preparing for his upcoming film, ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.’ Originally scheduled to clash with Yash's 'Toxic,' the makers have now moved its release to June 12, allowing for a clearer box office run.
This article delves into the harrowing yet often surreal experiences of Bollywood personalities during the 1990s mafia era, blending personal anecdotes with historical context to paint a vivid picture of an industry under siege.
