The upcoming Pa Ranjith – Rajinikanth project was rumoured to be a biopic on Haji Mastan, a Tamil Muslim who was popularly known as a smuggler, film financier, and businessman. Following news of this biopic, a man claiming to be Haji Mastan’s foster son, Sundar Shaekhar, has sent Rajinikanth a notice, asking for clarification on the same.
Confirming that he had sent a notice to Rajnikanth, Sundar Shaekhar told Deccan Chronicle that late Haji Mastan Mirza, who hailed from Tamil Nadu, was a businessman and founder of Bharatiya Minorities Suraksha Mahasangh.
“I am interested in making a biopic on him as am a producer and a registered life time member of Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association,” he said.
Here’s the notice sent to Rajinikanth:
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Haji was popularly regarded as the first celebrity gangster of the city of Bombay, often frequenting parties and functions that had several actors and actresses and businessmen in attendance.
He had no son so he informally adopted Sundar Shaekhar. He raised him as his own son, and the latter now runs his political party named ‘Bharatiya Minorities Suraksha Mahasangh’.
Shaekhar was born Hindu and didn’t convert to Islam. But Mastan used to call him “Suleman Mirza”.
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Meanwhile, a recent press release from Wunderbar Films, the production house for the movie, has denied all claims that the film is based on Haji Mastan’s life.
According to the press release,
“While the film is set in Mumbai, it has has no connection whatsover with Haji Masthan. This is a purely imaginary story and is not based on any real person.
The production company goes on to say that this film is not based on the professional life or personal life of Haji Masthan.
Here’s the release:
