Bollywood film on gangster Abu Salem to release in October 2016

A feature film based on the life of alleged gangster Abu Salem, who is currently facing trials for serious crimes such as murder, extortion and terrorism, including the 1993 bomb blasts case, is expected to be released in October, 2016

Titled Dreaded Gangster, the film is extensively shot at locations in Pune, Mumbai, Dubai and Lisbon (Portugal), its writer-cum-director Suvahhdan Angre told PTI. The film revolves around Salem, who was extradited from Portugal and brought to India, where he is facing a string of criminal cases, he said.

The film focuses on Salem's early days at his native place in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, his migration to Delhi in search of a job, and his relocation to Mumbai, where he joined the infamous Dawood Ibrahim gang to take up petty crimes, and went on to became a notorious gangster with a gang of his own, Angre said.

The film also depicts how he allegedly handled Dawood Ibrahim's crime syndicate and helped it flourish in Mumbai, besides his hold over Bollywood, he added. This is the director's second film, the first one being "Aadesh-Power Of Law", which focused on special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.

Angre said in lighter vein, "Film star ho ya gangster, Bharat ka kanoon hai hero...Aur woh kisi ko bhi nahi bakshta (The accused may be a film star or a gangster, the law of Bharat (India) is the real hero, which does not spare any one)."