Tapes expose Bollywood underworld

Sanjay Dutt (l) is being tried for his earlier links with the underworld and his role in bomb blasts in Mumbai that killed hundreds

MUMBAI, India (CNN) -- The talk in India's commercial capital, Mumbai, is once again all about the hold of the mafia on an industry that's known the world over as Bollywood.

Under all the bonhomie lurks some anxiety and India's movie stars are once again feeling threatened by the underworld.

In the past, some stars -- like Rakesh Roshan -- have been shot on mafia orders for refusing to make payoffs.

Police allege the mafia has also had cozy relations with others who have pushed their business interests.

The spark that has set off the latest crisis and unleashed a new wave of fear has been the release of what police claim are taped conversations between some stars and notorious mafia dons.

Tough guy

These conversations took place two years ago and allegedly involve one of India's hottest stars -- Sanjay Dutt, who relishes playing "tough guy"'' roles.

Dutt is being tried for his earlier links with the underworld and his role in bomb blasts in Mumbai that killed hundreds during Hindu-Muslim violence in the early 90s.

Now with the release of these tapes, Dutt's critics say his career is in a tailspin. Dutt's lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, says he is being victimized.

"Sanjay Dutt has been made a scapegoat, he has been made a punching bag and I feel that he has been treated unfairly,'' says Maneshinde.

Police reassurances

Police acknowledge the underworld loves the glamour of Bollywood and has deep rooted interests in the business.

But Mumbai's police commissioner says the industry is stable and so far this year no stars have been shot.

"Right now the entire underworld phenomenon is at a very low key. And there is nothing like the city being in the grip of the underworld," says Police Commissioner M N Singh.

For all the police's reassurances, it may be a while before those working on Bollywood's sets feel more confident.

Director Mahesh Bhatt says one way out of the crisis may be to tell the mafia its terror tactics will not work.

As Bollywood continues to air its dirty laundry in public, the man at the center of the controversy, Sanjay Dutt, appears unruffled.

Mumbai is plastered with posters of his soon to be released movie and the feeling here is any publicity -- whether good or bad -- always helps.