How Palande killings have affected Oshiwara’s filmis

Until the time a certain Simrin Sud got embroiled in the crime of the year, it was an address that the residents were proud of. But the stellar residents of Oberoi Springs on Link Road, Andheri, are being subjected to a curious form of profiling post Karan Kakkad’s murder.
Members of the film industry fill up most of the flats in the three wings of the complex.And they include veterans, outcasts and even those with no more than a toe-hold in filmdom. Imtiaz Ali, Chitrangda Singh, Vipul Shah, Aneez Bazmi, Sherlyn Chopra, are just some of the names you will find at the foyer leading to the towers. And while they may not exactly be on excellent neighbourly terms, they are now bound by a common refrain – life has become very difficult, they say, for their guests as they are subjected to severe scrutiny by the cops stationed at the gates and the security gaurds. It is embarrassing they complain, for the esteemed guests and family members to be subjected to such grilling even before they can step inside the complex.
A filmmaker, who lives in the A-wing said, “Ever since the case exploded, our society is teeming with cops. Even on Friday afternoon, the cops were at B wing. Till Wednesday, the complex was buzzing with the media people. And now security has been beefed up, causing inconvenience to the visitors.”
Interestingly, the security seems to be especially tight for tenants from the film industry. Choreographer Ahmed Khan, a resident, said, “Yes, security has been beefed up and rightfully so. But it is more for the tenants than owners.”
Item girl Kashmera Shah welcomed the measures for entirely different reasons. She believes it will help weed out the also-rans and the strugglers from the system. “Security was always maintained but now it has become better. Every visitor is being issued a pass. It will keep away unwanted strugglers form the complex. It is unfortunate that this happened.” Shah was quick to point out that she was privileged enough not to be inconvenienced.
Director Lovely Singh who stays in the A wing of the complex rued the fact that the environment is grim and tense. “For now, I am not entertaining visitors at my place. I meet them at a coffee shop across the road.”
A young actor who made his Bollywood debut a couple of years back was far more a cautious in his response. “I guess they want to minimize the chances of any further crimes in the building. When I have friends coming over I have to inform the main gate in advance. After a few questions they are allowed inside.” No points for guessing, this actor is a tenant here.
Prabhakar Rao, chairman of Oberoi Springs building confirmed that post the incident the management is taking measure to ensure better security. “Every person entering the premises is first screened, then checked with the residents through intercom, badges are provided to the visitors and if possible a guard also accompanies the guest to the said apartment. Proper records are maintained with the in and out timings. We will also do a thorough background check of people who wish to buy or rent property in this complex.”
Rao says older residents will not be spared either and their backgrounds will also be scrutinized. “There are 650 flats in this complex, with more than 3,000 people visiting almost daily. It is mammoth task but we are trying out best not to inconvenience people.”
But not everyone is impressed. A filmmaker resident complained, “Tenants are being subjected to a lot more checks. And it is unfair to label everyone from the film industry as criminals. There are several respectable and senior members of the industry who do not indulge in such activities.”
COPS TO ASK RGV ABOUT GURUJI
Simrin Sud said on Friday that Kakkad introduced her to a certain 'Guruji', who said he was very close to filmmaker Ram Gopal Verma, and that he would make her a great model. Police believe this man could answer some questions about the relationship Simrin and Kakkad shared. According to Simrin, she had spoken to Guruji on the phone, and they even set a date to meet. She added that he complimented her on her voice and said she had the potential to become a playback singer. When asked about whether he knows someone called Guruji, Ram Gopal Verma laughed off the matter. "Yeah, he's with me having a drink right now," he said. Police also believe that finding Guruji could answer some questions about Kakkad's alleged involvement in the flesh trade. A Delhi-based businessman involved in an alleged rape case in 2010 claimed that Kakkad sold him a girl, as an escort, for Rs 1.8 lakh. — Nazia Sayed OBEROI’S HOTSHOTS