Late Bollywood legend Rishi Kapoor lived a life filled with fascinating anecdotes and encounters. One such encounter was with the infamous underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim.

This meeting, which occurred before accusing Dawood in the 1993 Mumbai Bomb Blast case, offers a fascinating insight into the intersections between the entertainment industry and the underworld.

The Unexpected Invitation

Rishi’s book recounts his two unexpected encounters with Dawood, the first of which occurred in 1988, just before Dawood’s exile in India. It was a chance meeting at the airport in Dubai, where Rishi was attending an event with RD Burman and Asha Bhosle.

Dawood’s associates, strategically stationed at various airports, spotted Rishi, setting the stage for a meeting that would provide a unique perspective on the intersections between the entertainment industry and the underworld.

“Dawood sab baat karenge (Dawood Sir would like to speak to you)”

was said by Dawood’s assistant as he approached Rishi and gave him a phone.

The Journey To Dawood’s House

Following that, Dawood invited Rishi to come to his house. A shimmering ‘Rolls Royce’ followed, driving around in circles to prevent Rishi and his companion from figuring out the way to Dawood’s house.

Dawood didn’t drink or offer alcohol, so he welcomed Rishi Kapoor and his buddy to his house and gave them tea and biscuits. During their talk, Dawood told Rishi anecdotes of his previous deeds without feeling regret. Dawood also revealed planning a murder in a Bombay court, which served as the basis for a sequence in the 1985 film Arjun, starring Sunny Deol.

As Rishi prepared to leave, Dawood’s parting words were a testament to his influence and power: “If you ever need anything, any money, anything at all, just feel free to ask me.”

This statement not only underscored the extent of Dawood’s reach but also illuminated the underworld’s willingness to extend its influence into the entertainment industry.

An Unexpected Encounter At A Shoe Store

In 1989, Rishi Kapoor and his wife Neetu were shopping for shoes at a Lebanese store in Dubai. To their surprise, they bumped into Dawood Ibrahim, who was also present at the store. Dawood, who was accompanied by “eight or ten bodyguards” and had “a mobile phone in his hand,” once again offered to buy something for Rishi.

However, the actor politely declined the offer. This unexpected encounter at a shoe store further illustrates the unpredictable nature of Rishi Kapoor’s encounters with Dawood Ibrahim.

The Aftermath

Despite the later revelations of Dawood’s involvement in criminal activities, Rishi Kapoor’s autobiography, “Khullam Khulla,” revealed that he didn’t regret the meeting.

He saw it as a fascinating anecdote from his life, a testament to the complex and often hidden connections between Bollywood and the underworld during certain periods in the industry’s history.

AK