Real life Telgi visits reel life 'Telgi'

Stamp paper scam accused Abdul Karim Telgi may have spent six years behind bars. But he is still sharp when it comes to business.

On Monday he told special CBI judge Chitra Bhedi at the Kala Ghoda sessions court that the film based on his life should not be released because he felt it was a “super flop”.

Producer Bhagwan Saungar had approached the judge, seeking permission to meet Telgi. Saungar wanted to persuade Telgi to allow him to release the film. Telgi, however, felt the film would affect his pending cases.

The judge started the case proceedings by enquiring about the reel Telgi. “Where is this dummy Telgi? Let’s see how much resemblance he has with Telgi,” said Bhedi.
After actor Kailash Manav stood before the court, Telgi said, “Everything in this movie is against me. They have not left a single person — police or politicians.” Telgi saw the film last month at a special screening in the Yerawada jail. “After the film’s release, my life will be under threat, madam.”

Telgi, who had allegedly showered several lakhs in cash on a bar dancer the night before he was arrested, said in court, “Rakhi Sawant’s dance is so bad. I had to shut my eyes during the song.”

Telgi told the judge he could not allow the film’s release as he was working on his autobiography and that he had completed 1,810 pages. “I had talked with them after the screening. Itna flop picture kyon banaya? They told me that it was a low-budget film. They have not followed facts.” Telgi claimed three other directors, including Mahesh Bhatt, had approached him and that he had dissuaded them.

Saungar, however, told the court that the film was due for release in June. “I will incur huge losses,” he said. The court permitted Saungar to meet Telgi in the presence of his lawyer.

After the meeting, Saungar said that Telgi had promised to rethink his decision. “He did not like the Rakhi Sawant number. But he told us that he liked Sambhavana Seth’s item number.”
r_menaka@dnaindia.net