An incredible true story reveals how Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar’s strong belief in justice led Mumbai police to uncover a major criminal network, seize a hidden weapons cache, and expose a gang connected to Dawood Ibrahim.
When Bollywood Met the Underworld
In 1982, as the acclaimed film “Shakti” — starring Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar — was set for release, its producer Mushir Alam endured a terrifying ordeal. He was kidnapped during his daily commute, brutally beaten, and extorted for Rs 2 lakh by a notorious gang.
Traumatized, Mushir initially wanted to keep the incident quiet and avoid further trouble. However, Dilip Kumar, upon seeing Mushir’s injured state, was adamant. The legendary actor personally contacted the police commissioner, insisting that the crime be thoroughly investigated.
A Seemingly Small Clue Unlocks a Big Mystery
The case was assigned to then-ACP Madhukar Zende. Mushir, disoriented from his three-day captivity, couldn’t remember much about his exact location. But one detail stuck with him: he distinctly recalled hearing children reciting the ‘namaz’ daily.
This seemingly minor detail proved to be the breakthrough. A sharp constable on Zende’s team recognized the description, guiding them to a specific *chawl* (tenement housing). Upon arriving, Mushir confirmed it was indeed the place where he had been held captive.
The Trail to Ahmedabad and a Hidden Arsenal
The investigation quickly escalated. Police discovered the room’s occupant was currently in Ahmedabad. Zende and his team promptly tracked down the suspect and arrested him.
While in lockup, the gangster attempted to smuggle a secret note to his family, instructing them to “hide everything” in his Mahim residence. The note was intercepted, leading officers to raid the Mahim house, where they uncovered a surprising stash of revolvers and rifles.
Unmasking Dawood’s Fierce Rivals
The arrested individual turned out to be a key member of the Pathaan gang, notorious rivals of underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim. It was revealed that this gang had previously murdered Dawood’s brother and had been successfully evading him ever since.
Short on funds due to their ongoing conflict with Dawood, the Pathaan gang had resorted to extorting wealthy individuals like Mushir Alam. What began as a simple kidnapping case had inadvertently exposed a major underworld rivalry and a significant cache of illegal weapons.
A Unique Premiere for the Police Force
After the successful resolution of the case, a grateful Mushir Alam offered ACP Zende Rs 20,000 as a token of appreciation for recovering his money and bringing the culprits to justice. Zende, however, politely declined the cash reward.
Instead, he made a unique request: “Arrange a premiere of Shakti for the police.” Mushir readily agreed, and the special screening was a resounding success. All the police personnel, along with their families, enjoyed the film, complete with a free canteen, marking a truly cinematic conclusion to a real-life crime drama.
- Dilip Kumar’s insistence pushed producer Mushir Alam to report his kidnapping, leading to a major police investigation.
- A small detail about hearing children’s ‘namaz’ led police to the kidnapper’s secret hideout.
- The case unexpectedly uncovered a hidden arsenal of revolvers and rifles.
- The arrested criminals were members of the Pathaan gang, sworn enemies who had killed Dawood Ibrahim’s brother.
- As a unique gesture of gratitude, the police force was treated to a private premiere of the film “Shakti.”
