Biopic on mafia don Babloo Srivastava

Lucknow, May 1 (UNI) After penning his autobigraphy 'Adhura Khawab', incarcerated mafia don Om Prakash Srivastava alias Babloo Srivastava is in the news again-this time because of a proposed biopic with renowned actor Ajay Devgan likely to don the mantle of the mafia king on the silver screen.

Babloo signed an agreement yesterday with Mr S Rauf Jeelani, producer-director of the film titled' Adhura Khawab-- unfulfilled dream''.

The multi-starred big budget film, estimated to cost about Rs 20 crore,would also have renowned artistes like Amitabh Bachchan, Kajol and Yukta Mukhi in the film, claimed Mr Jeelani.

Talking to UNI here, the director,based in Mumbai, said preliminary talks with all the artists had already been taken place and now their dates would be sought for early completion of the film.

Mr Jeelani said these actors would be signed for the film very soon.

'' This film would be different from other ones made earlier based on any don as it will be a family picture with projection of positives about the lifestyle of the don'', he said.

He said his film company was conducting audition for the probable candidates in Lucknow for this movie. The muhurat of the film would be done in Lucknow by this month end, he said.

'' Half of the shooting would be done in UP while at least three local youths including one girl would be taken from Lucknow to act in this film'',the producer added When asked if he was afraid of any threat from the rival groups of Babloo due to disclosure of some real facts in his book, Mr Jeelani said '' I have gone through pros and cons in this regard during the last two months and examined every aspect and then only decided to make the film''.'' I am not afraid of any threat'', he asserted.

To a poser if Babloo himself will come before the camera, he said if court allows then he might give some discription about the book in the film.

Meanwhile, Babloo Srivastava, who is presently lodged in the Bareilly jail, was in the state capital yesterday to appear in the court in some case had also confided that a film based on his book would be made.

'' I am also eager to work in this film but my dream could be fulfilled if court allows '', Babloo said while talking to mediapersons.

Babloo's book 'Adhura Khwab,' released last year, depicts the don's dream of seeing Dawood Ibrahim behind bars which still remains unfulfilled.

The book in fact describes on the nitty-gritties of abduction - ''the modus operandi,'' how much money gangsters gain from it, and the hardships the victims are subjected to.

Apart from detailing the ways of mafia dons Babloo has worked with, the book outlines his rivalry with Dawood, Anees and Mirza Baig, and his operations in Nepal, Dubai and, finally, how he was nabbed in Singapore.

Babloo, who had already spent over 10 years in jail after been nabbed in Singapore in 1997, had spent seven months on this 233-page book and was receiving 15 per cent royalty besides Rs 2.4 lakh on time payment for his book.

UNI MB/SB SY AS1522