Abu Salem on the big screen

Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai (2011) and the upcoming Shootout At Wadala chronicle the rise of underworld kingpin Dawood Ibrahim. Now, a film on one of his former associates, Abu Salem, is set to roll, with actor Nikhil Dwivedi playing the role of the dreaded gangster.

An industry insider reveals that the film has been named Captain, as it’s one of the aliases used by Salem. The project has been conceived, written and will be directed by debutant Navneet Behl, and traces the outlaw’s journey from obscurity to notoriety in a short period of time. Confirming the news, Nikhil says, “Unlike other infamous gangsters, who took decades to be where they are today, he became one of the most dreaded gangsters in Mumbai in just seven years. That’s what I found so fascinating.”

Salem, presently in Arthur Road jail, is serving time for his role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, and the murder of music composer and owner of the T-Series music label, Gulshan Kumar, in 1997.

“There was a time when the whole film industry was completely crippled with fear of this man. The film is about what made him so powerful,” says Nikhil, who has two films — Hate Story and Tamanchey — releasing this year. Ask whether he’s apprehensive about playing a notorious don, and the actor says, “Why should I be nervous? This is not a film on Dawood Ibrahim.”

First Published: Apr 02, 2012 14:46 IST