Sonu Nigam threatened by underworld Don Chhota Shakeel

MUMBAI: Singer Sonu Nigam has become the latest Bollywood personality to approach the police over threat calls from an underworld don believed to be based in Pakistan.

He has told senior police officers that Chhota Shakeel, member of the Dawood Ibrahim gang, made multiple calls and sent several texts last month asking him to cancel his deal with an event management company and sign up with another the don has chosen. The firm is handling his world tour next year.



Nigam is out of the city on a scheduled programme and has not yet recorded his detailed statement or filed an FIR, said an officer. He was also not available to TOI for comment. But a report mentioning the threat to Nigam has been prepared and sent to departments concerned. It's also been decided to provide him police protection.

"The gangster recommended a person's name and wanted Nigam to organize the (world tour) concerts through him. We asked Nigam to provide all the details and register an FIR. He is busy and we expect him to visit us soon," said a senior crime branch officer. Most police officers remained tight-lipped on the details.

Niigaam has planned a world tour in 2014 in which he, along with other film stars, will perform around 12 stage shows in different countries and signed an agreement with a company to handle the event.

But Shakeel wants Nigam to sign a new agreement with Altaf, who is based in Dubai. "Nigam has already signed the agreement and legally, he can't cancel it. But Shakeel and Altaf are pressuring him to sign a new one," said an officer.

Last month, Shakeel as well as Altaf called Nigam several times. When Nigam refused to entertain the calls, Shakeel began sending texts with in a bid to blackmail him.

A police source said the overseas events involving Bollywood stars are money-churners and the underworld often tries to get lucrative organizing rights through their fronts.