Gangster Abu Salem confessed to being smitten by actress Sushmita Sen, the moment he saw her in Dubai in 1995.

“Woh ladki dosti karne layak thi,� Salem told the police about Sen and added he still holds her in high esteem.

In 1994, Salem was organising shows in Dubai where Bollywood stars would perform. It is during one of these shows, that he met Sushmita, in 1995.

A former Miss Universe, Sushmita had just entered the film industry then, and was introduced to Salem by her friend Amir Shaikh from Bahrain.
Salem said he was charmed by the actress.

“Itni lively hai woh, ke poora mahaul hila deti hai,� Salem told investigators recently. Sushmita went on to do many private shows for Salem.

Repeated attempts to contact Sushmita failed. Mid Day spoke to her secretary, who asked us to call later for the actress’s response, but she refused to take any calls thereafter.

“She met Salem several times between 1995 and 1999 in Muscat, Burami Oasis, Dubai,� said a source. In Dubai, the two met more than once, in a restaurant called Bombay Khazana. Sushmita had a boutique in Dubai, and travelled there often.

Met at restaurant

In Muscat, the two met at Wadi Kabir restaurant in 1999, when she was there for a show, and then in Chicago after Salem moved there in 2000.

Wife did not like it

Salem’s first wife Samira Jumani did not approve of his ‘friendship’ with Sushmita. “Usko leke mere ghar me roz bawaal (arguments) hota tha,� said Salem. However, he clarified that he did not have an affair with the actress.

Intelligence records

This information is part of intelligence records. According to sources the Mumbai crime branch had traced Sushmita’s visit to the Middle East and her meetings with Salem.

However, it was disregarded, as she did not have any connections with his business.