Mumbai, Aug 02: Film producer Nasim Rizvi, an accused in the case of alleged Bollywood nexus with underworld, has denied links with Pakistan-based gangster Chhota Shakeel and refuted police claims that he had spoken to the latter on telephone. Deposing before designated judge A P Bhangale yesterday, the producer denied that he had threatened producer-director Rakesh Roshan at the instance of Chhota Shakeel to seek the dates of his actor-son Hritik for film shootings.
Rizvi, answering to questions put to him by the court at the fag end of the trial, said he had not sent any money to Chhota Shakeel via hawala through accused Mohammed Shamshuddin alias Bhatija.
Rizvi told the court that the film "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke" was made by him and financed by Bharat Shah. He denied that Chhota Shakeel was a partner in this venture. The finance was provided by Shah and there were entries in bank accounts to support this claim, he said.
Police claim to have recorded 16 telephonic conversations between Rizvi and Shakeel which allegedly revealed that they had targetted film personalities for personal gains.
The conversations also revealed that film "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke" was allegedly made by Rizvi and financed by Shah at the instance of Shakeel.
Rizvi, his assistant Abdul Rahim Allah Baksh and Mohammed Shamshuddin alias Bhatija are in judicial custody while Shah has been granted bail. Bureau Report