Ever since 26/11 singer-composer-entertainer Adnan Sami has been getting death threats.
Says a very concerned friend of Adnan, "The calls started coming immediately after that horrendous Wednesday. The command was simple, ’Leave Mumbai immediately or be killed.’
At first Adnan took the threatening calls with a pinch of salt. After all, he has been targeted for ouster ever since he made Mumbai his home ten years ago. A group of musicians have been constantly campaigning to get him out."
But soon the threats got very frequent and increasingly persistent in tone.
"That’s when Adnan decided that this time it was more serious than before. For the first time he became seriously worried for himself and his Arab wife Sabah, " says the friend
Apparently Adnan spoke to the powers that be, going as high as Mrs Sonia Gandhi telling her about the risk to his and his wife’s life.
But when security was not forthcoming Adnan decided to get his own security.
"He now moves around with four bouncers and four armed men provided by a security agency named 911. These security personnel accompany him everywhere.
They stay in his house and go to concerts and other social occasions with him. Adnan is seriously worried about his life. He has told very close friends the name of the organization that should be held responsible if something untoward was to happen to him."
When contacted Adnan is reluctant to speak on this acutely sensitive subject. "Where did you hear about it? I guess the security is so visible one can’t really hide the reason behind it. I won’t say much on this. But I will ask one thing. What have I done?"
