Anu Aggarwal says Bollywood was ‘ruled by people like Dawood Ibrahim' in the 90s, calls it a ‘dirty business'
Anu Aggarwal, best known for her role in the 1990 film Aashiqui, recently opened up about the Hindi film industry's connection with the underworld during the '90s. 'It was a dirty business. I don't know how dirty it is today,' Anu said in a recent interaction, as she revealed how many films were funded by the underworld at that time.
Speaking to Pinkvilla, she said, 'At that time, it was all under-the-table deals. It was ruled by people like Dawood Ibrahim. All the money that was coming into the film industry came from the underworld. It was a completely different scenario.'
Anu became an overnight sensation after her debut in Aashiqui and had amassed a massive fan following, which, however, put her safety at risk. She revealed that the intense adoration also led her to eventually run away from the film industry. Speaking about the same, she shared, 'For me to walk around alone and live alone at that time… I had fans standing under my building. Luckily, it was an MLA-MP building, so we had police protection. It was madness. People would fly from countries just to see my building, just like how it is for Shah Rukh Khan today. Shah Rukh is my neighbour and that's what used to happen to me, and I ran away from it.'
During the same conversation, she also revealed that she still hasn't been paid her full remuneration for Aashiqui. 'I haven't gotten the full fees for Aashiqui till today. I've only been paid 60% of the full fees. They still owe me the 40%,' the actor alleged.
After Aashiqui, Anu appeared in films like Ghazab Tamasha, King Uncle, Ram Shastra, and more. Her last film was 1996's Return of Jewel Thief. In 1999, she met with a serious accident that left her in a coma for 29 days. Following the accident, Anu never returned to acting.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Prabhas' 'The Raja Saab' teaser LEAKED online; Makers warn of ' strict action' against those sharing post
Picture Credit: X Prabhas fans have been eagerly waiting for his upcoming horror-comedy, 'The Raja Saab', directed by Maruthi . Just ahead of the teaser's official release on June 16, visuals from the clip were leaked online. Keeping this in mind, the makers issued a strict warning against the perpetrators. In response to the teaser leak, the makers of the film issued a strict warning on social media, in a note that read, "Strict action will be taken and handles will be suspended immediately if any leaked content from #TheRajaSaab is found….We request everyone to cooperate and stand with us in protecting the experience….Let's celebrate responsibly. Be aware" — rajasaabmovie (@rajasaabmovie) About the film Director Maruthi is known for his mass entertainers and this film includes spooky thrills with laugh-out-loud moments. Fans would be excited to see the Rebel Star in a comical role as it has been a long time since he portrayed roles other than his recent larger-than-life characters. Additionally, Prabhas will be seen in a dual role where he would be portraying both grandson and grandfather. In a poster released earlier, Prabhas is seen seated regally on an intricately designed throne. The plot of the film is suggested to be around a young man who looks to claim his ancestral property to resolve his financial difficulties. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3/4 BHK from ₹ 1.75 Crore*, Bengaluru Birla Estates Learn More Undo The movie also includes Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan , Riddhi Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, and Yogi Babu playing key roles. It is set to release on December 5, 2025, in multiple languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, aiming to be a pan-India blockbuster.
NDTV
26 minutes ago
- NDTV
Weekend Binge: Celebrate Imtiaz Ali's Birthday Week Rockstar Style
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali is all set to celebrate his 54th birthday on June 16. From his directorial debut Socha Na Tha to delivering blockbuster hits like Jab We Met and Rockstar, Imtiaz has truly shaped modern Hindi cinema. Over a remarkable career spanning more than 20 years, the filmmaker has become synonymous with romantic dramas, artfully capturing the entire gamut of human emotions. To celebrate his birthday, why not dedicate your weekend watching his finest directorial gems? Here are some of Imtiaz Ali's films you can add to your watchlist: 1. Highway Headlined by Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, the film follows the transformative journey of a young woman who gets abducted by thugs. As they travel across northern India, she gets her first taste of freedom and forms a bond with her captor in a Stockholm syndrome situation. 2. Rockstar The film narrates the story of a young musician named Janardhan Jakhar, played by Ranbir Kapoor. He transforms into a rockstar after he falls in love with a free-spirited woman, Heer (Nargis Fakhri). 3. Tamasha Ranbir Kapoor as Ved and Deepika Padukone as Tara have a whirlwind romance in Corsica while keeping their true identities hidden. When they reunite in Delhi, she's shocked to find Ved's drastically different persona. However, with her support, Ved embraces his true self and transforms into a more confident version of himself. 4. Jab We Met Aditya, a depressed businessman, boards a train on a whim and meets Geet, a lively and chatty girl running away to elope. As they embark on a series of misadventures, an unlikely friendship blossoms into romance, transforming Aditya's life. 5. Love Aaj Kal Jai and Meera, a modern couple in London, part ways to focus on their careers but remain friends. Meanwhile, Jai discovers the 1960s love story of Veer and Harleen, which makes him reflect on his own relationship with Meera and the true meaning of love. 6. Amar Singh Chamkila The film chronicles the life of Amar Singh Chamkila, a pioneering Punjabi singer-songwriter who rose to fame while navigating controversies and challenges. Chamkila was famous for his bold and provocative lyrics, which captivated the audiences in Punjab during the 1980s. 7. Jab Harry Met Sejal Harry, a charming tour guide, joins Sejal on a whirlwind search across Europe for her lost engagement ring. As they roam unfamiliar cities, Harry's tough exterior softens, leading to an unexpected romance between the two.
Deccan Herald
an hour ago
- Deccan Herald
‘Zero par laakar khada kar diya': Puja Banerjee, Kunal Verma allege financial fraud by friend, lost life savings
Kunal Verma and Puja Banerjee, who impressed in the popular Hindi soap opera Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna, are among the most beloved pairs in the Hindi TV industry. The couple, best known for their strong screen presence and fan following, took to their YouTube channel to share a personal ordeal, revealing that they were victims of a financial scam that cost them their entire life savings. The duo, who got married in 2020, narrated that a person they had trusted for three years had betrayed and duped a video titled "Lowest phase of our lives… need your support and prayers in this difficult time,' The couple were seen narrating their horrifying experience. 'The past 2–3 months have been incredibly tough for us. We're uncertain about what the future holds. We've fallen victim to a fraudulent financial scheme and lost a substantial amount,' said Puja on the video..'Bohot waqt laga humein iske baare mein baat karne mein. (We have taken quite a long time to open up about this.) We are both in shock, and Kunal is deeply affected by this. We still get overwhelmed when we talk about it,' said Puja.'Zero par laakar khada kar diya hai par hum zero se waapis shuru karenge. (We have to start from zero, but won't give up. We don't want to give up. All we want is your support and prayers. We have complete trust in God,' Puja up about the betrayal, Kunal said, 'When you trust someone for three years — someone who's been by your side and becomes like family — the hurt runs deep.'Though they've faced a major fall, the couple remains hopeful and determined to bounce back recent times, many people have been duped by high-risk financial scams. It's wise to stay cautious and avoid offers that seem too good to be true. Always verify the details and educate yourself before investing your money.
