Karim Morani

Karim Morani
Born
OccupationFilm producer
SpouseZara Morani
ChildrenZoa Morani
Shaza Morani
RelativesAly Morani (brother)
Lucky Morani (sister-in-law)
Priyank Sharma (son-in-law)
Websitecineyug.com

Karim Morani is an Indian film producer who has produced films like Chennai Express and Ra.One starring Shahrukh Khan.[1] Morani and his brother Aly Morani co-own Cineyug, which is a film production and event management company.[2]

Film career

Morani entered film production in 1991 with the filmYodha. It was directed by Rahul Rawail and stars Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Deol and Sangeeta Bijlani in lead roles. His next film as a producer came after a gap of twelve years with Dum directed by Eeshwar Nivas and starring Vivek Oberoi and Diya Mirza.

Following another gap of eight years, all his films have been co-productions with Shar Rukh Khan of films that star Khan. Morani's third release happened in 2011, after he teamed up with Shah Rukh Khan's production house Red Chillies Entertainment as an associate producer for the film Ra.One starring Khan.[3] In 2013, he co-produced the commercially successful film Chennai Express,[4] and in 2014, he was the associate producer for the film Happy New Year, both of which star Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. In 2015, Morani co-produced Dilwale in association with Red Chillies Entertainment and Gauri Khan. The film was directed by Rohit Shetty and stars Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan and Kajol.[5][6]

Controversies

Morani has been dogged by several controversies during his career.

2G spectrum case

Morani is an alleged accused in the 2G spectrum case.[5] The Income Tax Department and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) claim that Morani was a part of the conspiracy to illegally transfer funds to Kalaignar TV on the behest of Shahid Balwa and Vinod Goenka who are both co-accused in the 2G spectrum case. It was alleged that the promoters of DB Realty Shahid Balwa and Vinod Goenka transferred ₹2,092.5 million (US$33 million) to Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables, in which Shahid Balwa's brother was a director. Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables then transferred ₹2 billion (US$31 million) to Cineyug Films, and Morani then transferred it to Kalaignar TV.[7][8] Morani was charged with Criminal conspiracy to cause criminal breach of trust by a public servant, criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, fabrication of evidence and also booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Morani was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on 30 May 2011[9][10] and was subsequently granted bail on 28 November 2011.[citation needed] As of August 2012, Morani is facing trial in 2G spectrum case and has to appear at a Special CBI Court in New Delhi.[citation needed]

Mumbai underworld

On 23 August 2014, members of the Ravi Pujari gang made an attempt on the life of Morani.[11][12] In 2018, A Delhi-based Model accused Morani of rape, blackmail and threatening to eliminated by underworld connection.[13]

Allegations of rape

In 2017 Morani was booked by Hyderabad police for the rape of a 25-year-old Delhi-based student.[14] On 23 September 2017, Morani had to surrender to the Hyderabad police following the order by the Supreme Court refusing to give Morani anticipatory bail in the alleged rape case against him.[15][16]

Personal life

Karim Morani is an Ismaili Muslim. He married Zara Morani and the couple has two daughters, Zoa and Shaza. Their older daughter Zoa Morani is an actress.[17] Shaza is married to Priyaank Sharma, Padmini Kolhapure and Tutu Sharma's son.[18]

References

  1. ^ "Shah Rukh Khan attends funeral of Karim Morani's mother". The Indian Express. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  2. ^ "Cineyug boss Morani appears in court". NDTV. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  3. ^ "SRK stands by Ra.One's producer Morani". Firstpost. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  4. ^ "co-produced Chennai Express". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Karim Morani, accused in 2G case, allowed to go to Turkey and Iceland for 'Dilwale' shoot". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  6. ^ "Targeting film "Chennai Express" producer and 2G case accused, Karim Morani". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  7. ^ "Rs 200 crore routed to TV channel in 33 tranches". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Why is Karim Morani important to B-town?". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  9. ^ "2G scam: Court denies anticipatory bail to Cineyug Director Karim Morani". India Today. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  10. ^ "2G scam accused Karim Morani allocated a 'cooler, less dusty' prison cell". NDTV. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  11. ^ "firing outside the residence of Bollywood film producers Karim and Ali Morani in 2014". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Underworld: Gangster Ravi Pujari plotted to kill Mahesh Bhatt and Moranis". india.com. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  13. ^ "Producer Karim Morani drugged and raped me, alleges woman". hindustantimes. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Karim Morani, producer of Chennai Express, booked by Hyderabad police for rape, blackmail". Firstpost. 18 January 2017.
  15. ^ "Bollywood producer Karim Morani surrenders to police in Delhi woman rape case". India Today. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  16. ^ "SC upholds cancellation of bail to Karim Morani in rape case". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  17. ^ "Zoa ropes in Katrina's diction trainer for herself". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Inside Priyaank Sharma-Shaza Morani's wedding party: Cousin Shraddha Kapoor, Padmini Kolhapure, attend. See pics". Hindustan Times. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2021.