Singer Kumar Sanu has revisited a lesser-known chapter from his profession, recalling two events when he travelled to Dubai to carry out at occasions linked to underworld figures Dawood Ibrahim and Abu Salem. The singer mentioned he was unaware of the identities of the individuals internet hosting the primary occasion and solely realised the gravity of the scenario after images from the gathering had been printed in newspapers.Chatting with Lallantop, Sanu recalled being taken to Dubai by music director Nadeem for what he believed was merely a birthday celebration. In accordance with the singer, he was not advised who the occasion was for or who can be current.“I sang in Dubai as soon as. Nadeem ji took me there. It was both Dawood’s brother’s daughter’s birthday or his personal daughter’s birthday. Anu Malik and I had been there. Dawood Ibrahim was there; I noticed him sitting in entrance of me,” he advised Lallantop.Sanu mentioned he carried out songs that had been generally a part of his stage repertoire, whereas Dawood Ibrahim was seated in entrance of him together with his household.“They requested all these songs that I sing on stage. Dawood Ibrahim was sitting proper in entrance of me together with his household. After that, I by no means met him once more nor did I communicate to him,” he mentioned.The singer defined that he had little understanding of the individuals he was going to fulfill as a result of he had merely been invited by means of a music director.“We didn’t know a lot about them earlier. A music director was taking me, so I had nothing to do with it. They didn’t inform me whose present I used to be going to. They only mentioned, ‘Come, it’s important to sing at a celebration in Dubai.’”It was solely when photographs from the occasion surfaced within the press that Sanu understood the scenario he had unknowingly discovered himself in.“Later, when my photograph appeared within the newspaper, I believed, ‘What have I achieved?’ That was once I acquired scared,” he recalled.Sanu additionally spoke about one other incident involving an occasion related to gangster Abu Salem. He recalled being approached for cash however mentioned he declined and as a substitute supplied to carry out on the occasion.“Somebody known as me and mentioned, ‘Give us this a lot cash.’ I mentioned, ‘Sorry, we gained’t be capable of give cash. If there’s some work, inform me. If you need me to sing, inform me.’ I even went to Dubai as soon as to carry out at Abu Salem’s present. There may be nothing to be terrified of or conceal about this,” Sanu mentioned.In accordance with the singer, the police realized about his plans and contacted him earlier than he travelled, advising him towards attending the present.“The police station additionally known as me and mentioned, ‘You’ll carry out at Abu Salem’s present?’ I mentioned sure, I’m going. What ought to I do? The law enforcement officials mentioned, ‘You shouldn’t go.’ I mentioned, ‘We gained’t go, however you give me safety.’ If he shoots me, inform me, what am I presupposed to do? You give me safety,” he recalled.Sanu additional claimed that the police warned him that he might face arrest if he proceeded with the journey.“He mentioned, ‘For those who go, we are going to arrest you there.’ I mentioned, ‘Look, both you give me safety or give me an assurance that nothing will occur to me. I’m a singer. I’ve to sing; it’s my compulsion.’”Regardless of the warning, Sanu mentioned he in the end went to Dubai, carried out and returned with out incident.“I went, sang and got here again. No one mentioned something. I went, carried out, returned to the lodge, collected my baggage and got here again. The very factor for which I used to be threatened, I went and did that work, I sang and got here again safely.”Sanu additionally mirrored on the connection between Bollywood and the underworld throughout that period, pointing to the financing of movies as one of many causes the 2 worlds turned intertwined.“Many of the financing for movies used to return from these individuals, so whoever gave the cash would rule. That’s what used to occur,” he mentioned.Regardless of being round such circumstances, Sanu mentioned he didn’t get deeply concerned in understanding the bigger image. As an alternative, he remained centered on his work and on making certain his personal security throughout that interval.
