“I Swear On The Grave Of My Child That I’m Innocent!”
STARDUST INTERROGATES NADEEM IN LONDON
There is still a swagger in his walk. But the drooping shoulders tell a different story. About a year-and-a-half have passed since music tycoon Gulshan Kumar was brutally gunned down in broad daylight. Named as one of the suspects for the killing, Nadeem Akhtar Saifi was in London at the time. Instead of coming back to his homeland to face the law.
NADEEM CHOSE TO STAY PUT IN LONDON . And fight from there.“I have been framed, I shall prove that I am innocent,” he says even as the police in India are gathering and piling up evidence against him.
The man who claimed that his life revolved around music today is in and out of courts and law offices. Inexplicable legal intricacies have replaced the high notes of symphony. His one-time rise to fame is today forgotten in his fall from disgrace.
After months of documentation, summons, etc., the stage is now set for the trial: It’s the Government of India vs. Nadeem Saifi. Even as he gets ready for another long ordeal, Nadeem took some time off to break his 18-month-old silence to Stardust—on issues ranging from the case, his decision to stay in London, his partner Shravan, among other things.
What do you have to say about the accusation and the trial that you are facing?
“Well, I am at a loss for words. The first time I heard these accusations I was totally stunned. I didn’t know what exactly they meant by a charge of that magnitude. In all my life I have never hurt even a fly. I have always believed in doing good, in doing charity, in saving lives… I have helped so many people monetarily. If there was any cause for the upliftment of society, I was there. This allegation has shocked me and made me a very sad man.”
Do you mean to say that you have been victimized?
“Yes. I feel I have been victimized by my own people… Well, I would not exactly say my people, but by the police of my own state. This is why I feel dejected and have no words to explain my emotions.”
But why would anyone want to target you?
“That’s a good question. I guess vested interests who were very jealous could not digest my stupendous success—the way Nadeem-Shravan were winning laurels, awards, applause, the love of people… I guess at a time like this they must have used their powerful offices to try and see that I was framed.”
Can you name these ‘vested interests’?
“Since my own case is subjudice, I can’t say anything right now…”
But do you know who they are?
“In my own mind, I know who these people are. But I can’t say anything right now.”
If the Mumbai police are trying to frame you, wouldn’t they have waited for your return from London before announcing your name? Wouldn’t they have waited to arrest you unawares on your return?
“I know for a fact that some of the senior officers of the Mumbai police have framed me. I have concrete proof of this. As for them announcing my name before I got back, I don’t know about that. But I can tell you that I have concrete proof of my innocence.”
If you are so innocent, why did you sell your funds in places like Dubai and London?
“Let me clear it once and for all—this is bullshit. I don’t know from where you get such false news. I have been helped totally by my friends and fans here. People here know that I am innocent. And let me also make this clear: I have no recording studio in London. If I did, then why would I be recording in other studios in London? Like all other rumours this is another untrue one.”
Don’t you think you should co-operate with the authorities in India?
“What co-operation do you want? I am facing a trial. I am in front of the law. I have been going on record repeatedly requesting for the case to be transferred to the C.B.I. or any impartial investigating agency. So I am co-operating.”
Do you think religion has anything to do with this issue?
“The fact that I am a Muslim is definitely the major reason for my being framed. I am very much sure that this is the reason…”
What makes you say that? There are other Muslims in India apart from you. Mohammed Azharuddin, India’s cricket captain, is a Muslim too.
“I agree. I do not want to get into a controversy. But Salman Khan recently… and Dilip Kumar, they all have been targeted, haven’t they?”
Are you saying that Salman Khan was framed in the black buck issue? How would you know?
“Well, I do not know the case, so I can’t pinpoint. But I know one thing for sure—that I have been framed because of my religion.”
Why would law-enforcers want to make you a scapegoat? Sanjay Dutt was released, even Hanif-Samir are out. So why would anyone specifically target you?
“That is the frame-up I have been talking about. In fact you must read the defence skeleton argument which is being distributed to the press.”
What does it say?
“I would like you to read it because it deals with exactly the question you are asking me.”
What about extradition? Are you going to be sent back?
“I plan to first fight my case here in London. By the look of things, I don’t think I’d be able to return to India because of the way I have been framed.”
But the charges haven’t been cooked up out of thin air. It is some of the people who were arrested who have named you. They have said you are involved.
“In my own country, I know who these people are. But I can’t say anything right now.”
Earlier when the Mumbai police were trying to extradite you, you gave various excuses for staying back in London. In fact you even stated that your wife was serious in a hospital. Now your entire stance has changed.
“C’mon, you were a witness yourself when my wife was unwell at the hospital. She had a miscarriage. I lost my child. In fact, you even clicked a picture of hers in the hospital and that is the absolute truth. The reason for not returning and my stance has not changed. I have sworn on the grave of my child who is buried in London that I will prove my innocence, come what may.”
Recent reports in newspapers carried items about you having lost the case.
“Well, it was just our first argument of the case and there is a lot more to be heard. In fact the case has yet to open up against me. The worthiness of the evidence has not been examined yet by the court. It was just a denial of a preparatory point on a technical issue. That definitely cannot be considered a defeat.”
When is the next hearing?
“Well, we have actually fixed it for 21 days but the Government of India wanted a little more extension. I don’t understand why this delay is taking place. I haven’t asked for an adjournment. The Indian government has asked for an adjournment. They also took nearly seven months’ time. I want justice as soon as possible. I want this case to be heard as soon as possible. These past 18 months there has been only documentation.”
“I am facing a trial. I am in front of the law. I have been going on record repeatedly requesting for the case to be transferred to the C.B.I. or any impartial investigating agency. So I am co-operating.”
and
“Nadeem-Shravan are two inseparable sides of the same coin. If it doesn’t suit vested interests that a Hindu and a Muslim work together so successfully, it is not my problem.”
…In fact, Mr. Gajanan Shirke, who recently expired, had told me that there is no law that can stop me from working here.
Do you still get offers?
“Yes, I still get offers. After ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalein’, Rishi Kapoor approached me and offered his next film to me. The only problem is how to work it out since I am in London and Shravan is in India.
Even Subhash Ghai approached Shravan but because of my case we requested Subhash Ghai to go ahead with any of the able composers.”
Recent media reports suggest that you are upset with Shravan because his sons are now composing music?
“I too have heard that his sons are composing music and I wish them the very best of luck. I mean they are like my children. I have seen them grow up. They are going to be the future and what I feel for them is absolutely contrary to people’s beliefs and notions that I have tried to stop them from making music.
That is another very wrong accusation hurled at me. My only advice to them has been what I would advise my own son. I told Shravan to ask them to wait for some more time and let them learn the tricks of the trade, mature a bit. Because there is more to the music industry than just music.”
Hasn’t Shravan signed a film without you?
“Shravan has not released an album without me. We are one name. These are all baseless rumours. In fact, we do discuss on the phone about various projects.
Nadeem–Shravan is a national integration team and it is what India is all about. There is no caste, no colour, no religion.”
Has the media been fair to you?
“At the moment I wouldn’t put the blame on them for their attitude because they have heard only one side of the story, which has been going on and on. But I can tell you in these past 18 months I have not read even one publication about the good things that I have done.
About the shows I have done for the blind, the shows I did for raising funds for charity, for the police diwali meals. All I have read is rubbish. There is no balanced view of the allegation which is totally false and baseless.
I am one hundred percent innocent of all the charges put against me.”
But you have been silent all this while…
“Yes, I agree. Naturally when I speak, I hope to get a fair hearing as well. So far the press has got one side of the story. But my silence should not be misunderstood. I was quiet purely on account of the serious charges against me in the court of law. And I have extreme faith in Almighty God.”
What have these eighteen months been like?
“Well, I miss India very much. Which is a very natural thing because it is my motherland. And my song ‘I Love India’ from ‘Pardes’ shows my love for my country. I miss my fans.
They have supported me throughout and have even voted me for the Screen Award despite me not being here.
In fact, now that ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalein’ is on top of the charts, they have proved their faith in my innocence.”
Shravan and you claim to be the best of buddies… but reports say he is open to outside assignments?
“This is new to me. Nadeem–Shravan are two inseparable sides of the same coin. If it doesn’t suit vested interests that a Hindu and a Muslim work together so successfully, it is not my problem.
As far as I know, Nadeem–Shravan have created history. And they will continue to create history as long as we have the love of our fans and mercy of God on our heads.”
So you are saying Shravan is still a friend?
“As far as I know, yes, Shravan is still a friend.”
Even if you return, there are only a few producers willing to sign you. Is that why you prefer London?
“For your kind information, Nadeem–Shravan is still the hottest music duo going and there are a whole lot of producers who want to sign me.
I have refrained, however, until my innocence is proved.
And don’t forget ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalein’ has been on top of the charts and my new release of Boney Kapoor’s ‘Sirf Tum’ is one of the most haunting melodies I have ever recorded. I hope that my fans will enjoy the music.”
The music of Sirf Tum has been released by T-Series and has no mention of your name or Shravan’s.
“No comments.”
When do you think this will all come to an end?
“Well, I believe in God Almighty. People who know me know how soft-hearted I am. I can never think on the lines that I have been accused of. Truth has its own way of emerging, innocence has its own strength to manifest itself… I hope to see justice.
Truth which takes a long time to be declared is like justice denied.”
— Kevin Rego
Salman Khan recently… and Dilip Kumar, they have all been targetted, haven’t they?”
Are you saying that Salman Khan was framed in the black buck issue? How would you know?
“Well, I do not know the case, so I can’t sort of pinpoint. But I know one thing for sure that I have been framed because of my religion.”
You say that with conviction.
“Absolutely.”
Why would the law-enforcers want to make you a scapegoat? Sunjay Dutt was released, even Hanif–Samir are out. So why would anyone specifically target you?
… with Kishen Kumar: Those were the days!
“I am facing a trial. I am in front of the law. I have been going on record repeatedly requesting for the case to be transferred to the C.B.I or any impartial investigating agency. So I am co-operating.”
“Of course, I have been made a scape goat. You know, when I had come here for my holiday, we had top banners and more than fourteen films in hand. Obviously someone there did not like it…”
The last time you spoke to ‘Stardust’ about sixteen months ago, you said that Gulshan Kumar was your friend and your mentor. In that case, have you been in touch with their family explaining your situation to them?
“No. I have never been in touch with them.”
So what is happening with the case?
“Well, my council, Mr Clive Nicholas, Mr. James, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Henry Bradman and of course Mr. Majid Memon, have done their very best to create my defense on the basis of absolute truth.”
What about extradition? Are you going to be sent back?
“I plan to first fight my case here in London. By the look of things, I don’t think I’d be able to return to India because of the way I have been framed.”
But the charges haven’t been cooked up out of thin air. It is some of the people who were arrested who have named you. They have said you are involved.
“That is the frame-up that I have been talking about. In fact you must read the defense skeleton argument which is being distributed to the press.”
What does it say?
“I would like you to read it because it deals with the question you are asking me.”
Earlier when the Mumbai police were trying to extradite you, you gave various excuses for staying back in London. In fact, you even stated that your wife was serious in a hospital. Now your entire stance has changed.
“C’mon, you were a witness yourself when my wife was unwell at the hospital. She had a miscarriage. I lost my child. In fact you even clicked a picture of hers in the hospital and that is the absolute truth.
The reason for not returning and my stance has not changed. I have sworn on the grave of my child who is buried in London that I will prove my innocence, come what may.”
Recent reports in the newspapers carried items about you having lost the case.
“Well, it was just our first argument of the case and there is a lot more to be heard. In fact, the case has yet to open up against me. The worthiness of the evidence has not been examined as yet by the court. It was just a denial of a preparatory point on a technical issue. That definitely cannot be considered as a defeat.”
When is the next hearing?
“Well, we have actually fixed it for 21 days but the Government of India wanted a little more extension. I don’t understand why this delay is taking place. I haven’t asked for an adjournment. The Indian Government has asked for an adjournment. They also took nearly seven months time.
I want justice as soon as possible. I want this case to be heard as soon as possible. These past eighteen months have been only documentation.”
The delay is working against you. It is convincing people that you are involved.
“I know that. But eventually the entire Asian population around the world will know that I am totally innocent. I am 150 per cent sure of that.”
What about the film industry? What has their reaction been towards you?
“Well, I can say that the film industry is one big brotherhood and people had full confidence in my innocence. Unfortunately because of the pressures around, they cannot voice their opinions. But I have spoken to most of my friends and they have stood by…”