Singer Kumar Sanu has recalled a little-known episode from his career when he was taken to Dubai to perform at a birthday party attended by underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
According to Indian Express, the singer said he was unaware of the identity of the hosts and only realised the gravity of the situation after photographs from the event appeared in newspapers.
Speaking to Lallantop, Sanu said music director Nadeem took him to Dubai for the celebration.
Anu Malik was also present at the event.
“I sang in Dubai once. Nadeem ji took me there. It was either Dawood’s brother’s daughter’s birthday or his own daughter’s birthday. Anu Malik and I were there. Dawood Ibrahim was there; I saw him sitting in front of me,” he recalled.
According to Sanu, guests requested the songs he usually performed on stage.
“Dawood Ibrahim was sitting right in front of me with his family. After that, I never met him again nor did I speak to him,” he said.
Sanu explained that he had not been told whose party he was attending.
“We didn’t know much about them earlier. A music director was taking me, so I had nothing to do with it. They didn’t tell me whose show I was going to.
They just said, ‘Come, you have to sing at a birthday party in Dubai.’”
It was only after seeing his photograph in the newspaper that Sanu became concerned.
“Later, when my photo appeared in the newspaper, I thought, ‘What have I done?’ That was when I got scared,” he said.
Sanu also opened up about another occasion when he performed at an event associated with gangster Abu Salem.
He said he had initially been approached for money but offered to perform instead.
“Someone called me and said, ‘Give us this much money.’ I said, ‘Sorry, we won’t be able to give money. If there is some work, tell me. If you want me to sing, tell me.’ I even went to Dubai once to perform at Abu Salem’s show,” he said.
Sanu said police contacted him before the trip and warned him not to attend.
“The police station also called me and said, ‘You are going to perform at Abu Salem’s show?’ I said yes, I am going. What should I do? The police officers said, ‘You shouldn’t go.’ I said, ‘We won’t go, but you give me security,’” he recalled.
He said officers even warned him that he could be arrested if he went ahead with the performance.
However, Sanu ultimately travelled to Dubai, performed at the event and returned safely.
“I went, sang and came back. Nobody said anything. I went, performed, returned to the hotel, collected my luggage and came back,” he said.
Reflecting on the period when Bollywood had strong links with the Mumbai underworld, Sanu said money played a major role.
“Most of the financing for films used to come from these people, so whoever gave the money would rule. That is what used to happen,” he said.
However, Sanu said he deliberately avoided getting involved in the underworld’s activities and focused on protecting himself.
“I just kept myself safe and stayed away from everyone. That’s why I was fine, I survived. Nobody’s attention fell on me,” he said.
