HT: Salman has claimed in the conversation that only he and not you knew that Chotta Shakeel was financing `Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'. Your reactions?
BS: The underworld never offers finance to Bollywood. They are only interested in extorting money from us. It was I who had put in Rs 12 crore in the film that you have mentioned.
HT: How much money did you invest in the making of Devdas? Gangster Abu Salem had told the media that he had put in money as well in the project.
BS: I had invested Rs 45 crore in Devdas. Gangsters will give you a lot of loose talk. What can you do?
HT: Do you think that the Salman Khan tapes vindicate your stated position that you never had any links with the underworld? Do you think Salman could be involved with the underworld?
BS: The courts have absolved me from the charge of having links with the underworld, so these tapes now make no difference to me. But yes, if there is an iota of truth in them (the tapes) then it only makes it clear again that I was framed. The then Commissioner of Police, DCP and ACP, who were dealing with my case should be publicly hanged.
HT:Are you planning to seek any damages from the authorities since you feel that you were framed?
BS: No, I just don't have the time. I don't want to waste what time I have.
HT: So you think the charge that a section of Bollywood does have links with the underworld is false?
BS: I think it's only when you are involved with the making of B- and C grade films that the underworld comes into the picture.