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The Nadeem no one knows

Nadeem

A Staff Writer

British tabloid The Daily Express interviewed Nadeem Saifi, whom those familiar with Indian music will know better as part of the Nadeem-Shravan team, in an 'exclusive' last Tuesday. And it reveals things that none of us knew about the composer.

According to the piece by Kirsty Walker, 'He has more fans than Robbie Williams, more number ones than the Beatles and is mobbed every time he steps outside his front door.' Yes, that's Nadeem she's discussing there. She has apparently not even heard of Shravan.

She goes on to describe Nadeem as the most famous Asian pop composer in history before getting to the nub the story -- the demand by the Bombay police for his extradition. And tells us of how Nadeem's "close business friend Gulshan Kumani was shot dead in India". We grieve deeply along with Ms Walker but still venture to inquire, who is Mr Kumani? It couldn't be Gulshan Kumar, could it?

With Gulshan Kumar (left)

"The pair had also formed a successful business partnership, winning countless awards in Bollywood -- the Asian movie industry -- for Gulshan's films and Nadeem's soundtracks," Ms Walker continues relentlessly. Buzz off, Shravan, and congrats, Bollywood, for the promotion from the industry involved just in Hindi films to that of the entire continent.

According to Ms Walker, "Now Nadeem fears assassination if he returns. He claims to know which establishment figures have framed him because of his growing political influence and his minority Moslem background."

Assassination?! Framing of minority leaders? It was Bombay Police Commissioner Ronald Hyacinth Mendonca, also a member of a minority community, who first accused the man in public. But Ms Walker covers it, since Nadeem told her he had been framed by corrupt politicians and police chiefs.

With partner Shravan

Of course, Nadeem's accusation perhaps strikes a chord in Ms Walker, reassuring her that India is indeed the kind of backward place she imagined it to be.

Ms Walker walks firmer ground discussing others who might have had reason to kill Gulshan Kumar, like the owners of music companies, before quoting Nadeem's wife Sultana lamenting the loss of her lifestyle.

As she winds up, Ms Walker says, "Nadeem's final extradition hearing will take place next week at Bow Street magistrates court. The final twist in this tale has yet to be written."

Sure, but with the kind of attention she pays to the facts, Ms Walker had better not write it.

EARLIER FEATURE:
'This was an opportunity for all these jealous people, all these vested interests to hit back at me'

EARLIER REPORTS:
Music director Nadeem accused of killing Gulshan Kumar

More coverage on the Gulshan Kumar murder