Big B and Shah Rukh visit Adnan Sami's ailing father

The Big B's visit to Adnan Sami's ailing father at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital on Thursday evening has triggered off the industry's A-Listers' conscience. On Friday, barely 24 hours after the Big B, Adnan's father Arshad Sami Khan was surprised to see another superstar-guest walk in. It was Shah Rukh Khan whom Adnan's father has almost adopted as a distant son in his heart.

Explains Adnan, "Shah Rukh resembles Dilip Kumar Saab so much. And Dilip Saab whom we call Yusuf Lala is not just a favourite of our family but also a relative. So to us Shah Rukh is a direct descendent of Yusuf Lala's heritage."

The frail ailing Arshad Sami could barely speak but uttered two words, "Veer Zara". This was the former Pakistani diplomat's way of recalling the SRK film that did its substantial bit to improve relations between the two countries.

Says Adnan emotionally, "I missed both Bachchan Saab and Shah Rukh by minutes. But at least my mother was there when Shah Rukh so graciously visited with his daughter. My father couldn't recall the names of all the Bachchan and SRK films he had seen except Veer Zara."

The hugest moment post- Mr Bachchan's visit was a call from Rajesh Khanna. Says Adnan, "I've seen his Prem Nagar at least a million times. When he called and spoke such wonderful words of consolation-'God is there for everyone I'm sure he's there for you too'-I was overwhelmed."

The other dream come true was a call from Saira Banu. "Mr Dilip Kumar whom I call Yusuf Lala and Sairaji are relatives. I envy Yusuf Lala for a wife who's so devoted and for so long."

The Kokilaben hospital is suddenly a beehive of Bollywood activities. On Thursday Mr. Bachchan dropped into see Karan Johar's mom who underwent neuro-surgery, Dimple Kapadia's sister Simple who's critically ill, Adnan's father and Prakash Mehra.

In fact Mehra is an ICU flank next to Adnan's father. When Adnan got to know that the man who created some of Adnan's favourite childhood celluloid fantasies with Big B was lying ill in the room next to his father, he did what any sensitive person would.

Says Adnan, "I walked into Prakashji's ICU to quietly take his blessings. But what do you know! He recognized me in that condition and did the popular hand movement from my song 'Lift Kara De' with the Big B. It was his utterly endearing gesture of acknowledging me and my love for the movies that he did with the Big B. At times like these, being in the hospital is no more an acknowledgement of mortality. It becomes a celebration of life."
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Adnan Sami says his life is in danger

After reported fights between his estranged wife Sabah and friend Pooja Bedi, Adnan Sami has now got death threats. The Bollywood singer says he has informed Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari about the calls.

"I had to," said Adnan. "He's (Gilani) an old family friend. I know him from the time he was the speaker of the Pakistan assembly. And I've informed President Asif Zardari also. They had to know about the threats because if something happens to me, they should know whom to point a finger at," Adnan told IANS.

Adnan, who is of Pakistani descent but born and brought up in Britain, has been living in Mumbai for quite some time. His father Arshad Sami Khan was a Pakistani diplomat and was close to many of Pakistan's political elite.

"If I'm harmed, it would become an international issue and I don't want the wrong people to be accused," Adnan added.

Sabah suspects Pooja has a relationship with Adnan and attacked her when she visited him at his home. Pooja is said to have suffered scratches in Sabah's assault.

Both Pakistan's president and prime minister have ensured Adnan all support and cooperation.

"Not just them. I've also approached the Indian home ministry and the highest authorities have assured me optimum cooperation. The support I've received during the time of my stress from outside and inside Bollywood is overwhelming," said Adnan.

Speaking reluctantly about the death calls, Adnan said: "The first call came at around 9.30 a.m. on Thursday followed by one every half hour. It was very clear in its intention. The person on the other end warned me to lay off someone or face the consequences. But I didn't act intimidated at all. The caller clearly named the person on whose behalf he was calling. I was horrified and appalled beyond words. Can anyone normal or sane stoop so low?"

Adnan immediately informed the Mumbai authorities that his life is in danger.

"They've very kindly beefed up my security. The number of security personnel around me has gone up drastically. But I'm not feeling safe any longer. I want people to know who's to blame if something happens to me," he said.

"I feel everyone close to me is now in danger. So I've decided that they should all stay as far away as possible from the house. My mother, who was in Islamabad for her father's funeral, is back in the house to look after my father. But I'm asking my entire family and friends to be nowhere near me. My mom won't travel anywhere with me. I'd never be able to forgive myself if they came to any harm.

"When my son Azaan came to know, he insisted he was coming over (from Karachi) right away. He was distraught. No chance in hell I'd leave him vulnerable to any attack. And the person getting these calls made would happily hurt my son. Azaan threatens to catch the next flight to Mumbai."

Adnan says the caller makes it clear on whose behalf the calls are being made.

"No bumper prizes for guessing who," he said. "I've told them, "Jo bhi karna hai kar lo (Do whatever you can)."

"I'm in and out of court so much now, it's become a way of life. Now with these death threats the law and the legal system are my best friends. I've begun to feel so isolated from all my friends.

"The other day I recorded a song with A.R. Rahman. Everyone was being polite but distant. They didn't know what to say to me until I broke the ice by saying, 'Sorry I'm half an hour late, guys. I was just dealing with a troublesome wife in court.' They burst out laughing."

Adnan's lawyers now have a written a document from him which would be opened in case he's harmed.

"I know exactly who to blame if anything happens to me. And I also know which political party in Mumbai is abetting this person," Adnan said without naming anyone.
Source URL: http://soniceview.blogspot.com/search/label/Adnan%20Sami
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