'Pay hafta or die!'

Bharati Dubey

Bookies are a disappointed lot on the eve of the release of Subhash Ghai's Yaadein.

The lot, which made over Rs 6,500 million in bets over the two blockbusters Gadar and Lagaan, have been prevented from betting on Yaadein.

"Yaadein is a big budget film and has the hottest pair in the film industry. Yet we are not able to make money on it," says a bookie.

One could have easily made more than what was earned after betting on Lagaan and Gadar. Out of an investment of Rs 15,000 million, they earned Rs 6500 million.

So what is preventing the bookies from betting on Yaadein?

Says the bookie, "We have been getting threats from Abu Salem to pay hafta. He was quite open about it. If one does not give him his protection money, one will have to face death. This has scared everybody.

"We have been paying our protection money (ranging from Rs ten million to Rs 50 million) to the Dawood gang. But we can't ignore Salem. Everyone knows what happened to Ajit Dewani. We don't want to lose our lives."

Death threats have so scared the bookies that not a single penny was invested in betting over Aks.

The next two months will see the release of three biggies: Dil Chahta Hai, Lajja and Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat.

The bookies, for their part, are not sure whether they will be able to make money over the films.

Also Read:
Destiny's lucky child -- Kareena
Subhash Ghai on Kareena
The 'Daddy' of all roles for Jackie
Yaadein: Fresh off the Web
Yaadein will a fond memory in the heart of millions
The Yaadein music review
An earlier interview