Kumar Sanu recalls singing in front of Dawood Ibrahim, went to Dubai to perform for Abu Salem’s show, despite warning from police: ‘Give me security’

Singer Kumar Sanu has revisited a lesser-known chapter from his career, recalling two occasions when he travelled to Dubai to perform at events linked to underworld figures Dawood Ibrahim and Abu Salem. The singer said he was unaware of the identities of the people hosting the first event and only realised the gravity of the situation after photographs from the gathering were published in newspapers.Speaking to Lallantop, Sanu recalled being taken to Dubai by music director Nadeem for what he believed was simply a birthday celebration. According to the singer, he was not told who the event was for or who would be present.“I sang in Dubai once. Nadeem ji took me there. It was either Dawood’s brother’s daughter’s birthday or his own daughter’s birthday. Anu Malik and I were there. Dawood Ibrahim was there; I saw him sitting in front of me,” he told Lallantop.Sanu said he performed songs that were commonly part of his stage repertoire, while Dawood Ibrahim was seated in front of him with his family.“They requested all those songs that I sing on stage. Dawood Ibrahim was sitting right in front of me with his family. After that, I never met him again nor did I speak to him,” he said.The singer explained that he had little understanding of the people he was going to meet because he had simply been invited through a music director.“We didn’t know much about them earlier. A music director was taking me, so I had nothing to do with it. They didn’t tell me whose show I was going to. They just said, ‘Come, you have to sing at a birthday party in Dubai.’”It was only when images from the event surfaced in the press that Sanu understood the situation he had unknowingly found himself in.“Later, when my photo appeared in the newspaper, I thought, ‘What have I done?’ That was when I got scared,” he recalled.Sanu also spoke about another incident involving an event associated with gangster Abu Salem. He recalled being approached for money but said he declined and instead offered to perform at the event.“Someone called me and said, ‘Give us this much money.’ I said, ‘Sorry, we won’t be able to give money. If there is some work, tell me. If you want me to sing, tell me.’ I even went to Dubai once to perform at Abu Salem’s show. There is nothing to be scared of or hide about this,” Sanu said.According to the singer, the police learned about his plans and contacted him before he travelled, advising him against attending the show.“The police station also called me and said, ‘You are going to perform at Abu Salem’s show?’ I said yes, I am going. What should I do? The police officers said, ‘You shouldn’t go.’ I said, ‘We won’t go, but you give me security.’ If he shoots me, tell me, what am I supposed to do? You give me security,” he recalled.Sanu further claimed that the police warned him that he could face arrest if he proceeded with the trip.“He said, ‘If you go, we will arrest you there.’ I said, ‘Look, either you give me security or give me an assurance that nothing will happen to me. I am a singer. I have to sing; it is my compulsion.’”Despite the warning, Sanu said he ultimately went to Dubai, performed and returned without incident.“I went, sang and came back. Nobody said anything. I went, performed, returned to the hotel, collected my luggage and came back. The very thing for which I was threatened, I went and did that work, I sang and came back safely.”Sanu also reflected on the relationship between Bollywood and the underworld during that era, pointing to the financing of films as one of the reasons the two worlds became intertwined.“Most of the financing for films used to come from these people, so whoever gave the money would rule. That is what used to happen,” he said.Despite being around such circumstances, Sanu said he did not get deeply involved in understanding the larger picture. Instead, he remained focused on his work and on ensuring his own safety during that period.