Underworld's Shadow: Two Films, 24 Years Apart, One Blockbuster, One Flop

• Raj Kapoor's 1973 blockbuster 'Bobby' was made with financial aid from Mumbai underworld dons Karim Lala and Haji Mastan after his previous films flopped.
• 'Bobby' launched Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia, cleared Raj Kapoor's debts, and collected 4.90 crore on a 30 lakh budget.
• The 1997 film 'Sanam', starring Sanjay Dutt and Manisha Koirala, was produced by Sameer Hingora and Hanif Kadawala.
• 'Sanam' became highly controversial due to producers Hanif Kadawala and Sameer Hingora's involvement in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts.
• Hanif Kadawala, linked to Abu Salem and Dawood gang, supplied weapons for the blasts and was later murdered, with Chhota Rajan accused.

Why It Matters: Underworld funding shaped two Bollywood films, leading to a blockbuster and a controversial flop.