Filmmaker Amit Jani Faces Death Threats Over Controversial Salman Khan Film
Amit Jani's Alarming Situation
Filmmaker Amit Jani has revealed that he has been the target of numerous death threats over the last two years, reportedly connected to his upcoming film about the contentious "Blackbuck" case involving Bollywood star Salman Khan. Jani has claimed that he has received threats of violence, including potential bomb attacks and physical harm, from various criminal organizations linked to the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi.
In a communication to authorities in Uttar Pradesh, Simranjeet Singh, the Deputy Inspector General of the Haryana Special Task Force (STF), noted that Jani's home and workplace are under constant watch by four major gangs, including the Himanshu Bhai and Neeraj gangs, due to the threats he has been facing.
Jani recounted a specific incident where he received a threat from Kashmir, warning him of a possible bombing. Following this, he was threatened again in Udaipur, leading to the arrest of a suspect named Mohammad Sajid by local police. Although the Ministry of Home Affairs has provided him with security, including protection from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jani remains anxious about his safety. He mentioned a recent visit to the Guru Jambeshwar temple, where he received a threatening message from an individual named Shahzad Bhatti, who urged him to abandon his film project, claiming they could reach him anywhere, even in Canada and Pakistan.
In his statements, Jani has made it clear that he has no ties to any criminal gangs and harbors no ill will towards Salman Khan or Lawrence Bishnoi. He describes himself as a patriotic Indian citizen who is being targeted due to his film projects, which he believes are being suppressed through intimidation. Jani has also reached out to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Director General of Police in Rajasthan, seeking protection for himself and his family amid ongoing threats.
This troubling situation raises serious questions about freedom of expression in India, especially for filmmakers addressing sensitive topics. Jani has vowed to persist with his work, including films on significant issues like the Burhan Wani incident and Operation Mahadev, asserting that he will not be intimidated by threats. His case underscores the broader challenges of violence and intimidation that artists and filmmakers face in India as they navigate the complexities of creative expression in a difficult landscape.