Popular singer Arijit Singh is apparently the latest target on fugitive gangster Ravi Pujari’s list – except that, in a most bizarre twist, his life may have been saved by the fact that the gangster is a fan of his singing!
Agencies yesterday reported that Singh’s manager Tarsane received a call from Pujari who demanded the exorbitant amount of Rs 5 crore from the singer. When Tarsane protested, saying the singer would be unable to cough up such a large amount in so little time, Pujari reportedly relented, saying he would let go of the demand – but only if Singh agreed to perform a couple of shows for him, for free!
The reality isn’t all that spicy, however – as Singh clarified to the Mumbai Mirror.
I am touring the US in September and have a lot of shows coming up there. The shows are being handled by Nattu bhai, who had organised my US tour in 2014 as well. Nattu bhai co-ordinates with promoters from different cities and gets a lot of last-minute requests for extra shows.
We decided to not go ahead with one such promoter because he kept bargaining for a lower budget. This particular promoter had certain connections and contacted Ravi Pujari, who exerted a lot of pressure on my manager, Tarsane. I do not answer calls when I am at my studio and Pujari kept pressurising Tarsane, who got scared and informed me of the calls, and then filed a police complaint.
DCP M Dahikar in fact, confirmed that the singer had not yet lodged an FIR and that the suburban Oshiwara police only made a “station diary entry” regarding his complaint.
I don’t know Ravi Pujari and I did not receive a threat directly from him. He asked me to perform for free at a couple of shows, and my manager was being pushed to comply. I was not asked for any money directly, and honestly, I do not earn that kind of money either.
This is the first time something like this has happened to me. And I don’t think it is a big deal at all. All organisers want to make money and this is getting out of hand because of Ravi Pujari’s name being involved. It’s all a part and parcel of the business.
– Arijit Singh to Mumbai Mirror
Singh also firmly stated that while he didn’t mind doing “complimentary shows” or shows for free, he did not appreciate “being manipulated”. The singer has taken a brave stand on the issue, refusing police protection or even to file an FIR in the matter.
Arijit Singh would file an FIR only if the gangster threatened again, said Subhash Khanvilkar, senior inspector, Oshiwara police station.
(With inputs from PTI)
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