Kumar Mangat Pathak, secretary of actor Ajay Devgan, has denied that ganglord Chhota Shakeel pressured him into deferring the release of Devgan's film Raju Chacha. In the process, Pathak became the eighth hostile witness in the Bharat Shah case.
Pathak appeared on Friday before the special MCOCA court, before which Shah, Nazim Rizvi, Abdul Rahim Allah Baksh and Mohmmad Shamshuddin are charged with having a financial nexus with Shakeel.
It is alleged that Shakeel did not want Raju Chacha released the same time as Chori Chori Chupke Chupe, a film Shah and Rizvi allegedly made for Shakeel.
Police have alleged that Pathak earlier stated that Shakeel telephoned to warn Devgan against releasing Raju Chacha. Pathak allegedly refused to co-operate and was warned by Shakeel to toe the line or face consequences.
However Pathak denied everything before the court. Excerpts from his cross-examination by Public Prosecutor Rohini Salian:
What are your duties?
To attend to Devgan's dates, shooting arrangements, film production and money matters.
Had Devgan produced any movie?
He produced Raju Chacha in 1999, under the banner Devgan Films.
When was that film completed?
It was completed and released in December 2000.
What happened before the release of the movie?
Nothing.
Were you harassed by anybody?
No.
Have you heard of Chhota Shakeel?
Yes, I read about him in the newspapers. He belongs to the underworld, according to the newspapers.
When did police record your statement?
In December 2000.
Why were you called by the police?
Police called me on grounds that I received a phone call from Chhota Shakeel to postpone the release of Raju Chacha. But I did not receive such a call.
Who was the financier of the film?
Bharat Shah.
Who had the world rights?
Bharat Shah.
How much had he financed?
Rs 6 crore.
Is it correct that if two films are simultaneously released, one of them is affected?
No, because there are several theatres in which films can be released. If 10 films are released in a week, then there would be a problem for want of theatres.
How many movies can be released in a week in Mumbai?
In Mumbai, three films may release in a week.
Is it true that both Devagan and Salman Khan are top actors?
According to me, Devgan is a top-class actor in comparison with Salman Khan.
Did it happen that Devgan was invited to attend a stage show in Singapore. He booked air tickets, but cancelled them because he received a call from Shakeel?
According to me, such an incident did not happen.
Did Bharat Shah come with a request to release Raju Chacha later on?
No.
Did it happen that you received a call from Shakeel asking you to postpone the release of Raju Chacha, but you refused and told him it had already been scheduled?
No.
Did it happen that Shakeel told you that his film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke was to be released on December 22, 2000, and it was in your interest to postpone the release of Raju Chacha and that nobody should be blamed if anything goes wrong?
No.
Did you say so to the police?
No.
Had Shakeel talked with Devgan on the phone?
I do not know.
Did Devgan weep on the telephone and pray that the film would be released as scheduled on December 29, 2000?
I do not know.
Is it true that Shakeel allowed him to release Raju Chacha on December 29, 2000?
I do not know.
Is it true that you were told to release the film either on December 12, 2000, or on January 5, 2001?
It is not true.
