Once Upon a Time in Mumbai directed by Milan Luthria (of Taxi no 9211 fame) seems to be headed towards a snag. The film inspired by the life of Haji Mastan (who was one of Mumbai’s notorious gangsters in the 70’s) has Ajay Devgn portraying the character of a smuggler.
However, neither the producer nor the director has approached the family for permission or while doing research on the man.
This hasn’t gone down well with the family members of Haji Mastan. They have already started exploring the legal options against the director and the producers of the film. Their only concern is that the film might portray late Haji Mastan as a bad man.
Hussain Sharif, nephew of late Haji Mastan, has spent most of his life with him. He explains, “Haji refrained from wearing shoes and in the promos they have shown Ajay Devgn wearing stylish shoes. Also, if they are making a film on him, they should have at least asked us when they were researching about him. We would have readily shared all the details with them.”
He says, “They (filmmaker) are saying that Haji is a smuggler and linking him to Dawood in the film. But the fact is that it was never proved that he was a smuggler. There is no case registered against him. And as far as Dawood is concerned, he was never there. He came in much later and Haji had no connections with him.”
Earlier, Haji Mastans’s daughter Shamshad Supariwala had also sent several notices to Balaji Telefilms but in vain. Recently, her lawyer, Majid Memon, sent a legal notice to the director of the film, Milan Luthria. She says, “Milan’s lawyer has replied back saying that the character is just inspired by Haji but otherwise the film is completely different. Earlier, they were promoting the film using my father’s name and now that I have come into the picture, they are coming up with excuses that Ajay’s look is inspired from Amitabh Bachchan in Deewar (1975).” She further adds, “I am planning to have a press conference soon.”
Speaking about Deewar (1975), Hussain Sharif says, “Salim-Javed met Haji before making Deewar and they were given a nod. They were good friends and that’s why he didn’t bother. In fact, Haji had also seen the film before the release.”
Hussain is the eldest member of the family and Shamshad is taking every step only after consulting him. Hussain reveals his plans. “I do not want to create any problems. All I am saying that show me the film before the release. If Haji is not shown as a bad person, I have no problems. But, if there is anything negative about him, I am very much capable of stopping the release of the film.”
Though we tried to contact Milan Luthria, the filmmaker, he was unable for comment.
The film is slated for release on July 30. Besides Ajay, the film also sees Emraan Hashmi, Prachi Desai, Kangana Ranaut and Randeep Hooda in prominent roles.
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