Karim Morani

Karim Morani

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

Film career

Morani entered into film production in 1991 with a film called Yodha. The film was directed by Rahul Rawail and starred Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Deol and Sangeeta Bijlani in lead roles. His next film as a producer was after a gap of twelve years with the film Dum which was directed by Eeshwar Nivas and starred Vivek Oberoi and Diya Mirza. After a gap of eight years in 2011, he teamed-up with Shah Rukh Khan's production house Red Chillies Entertainment as an associate producer for the film Ra.One starring Shah Rukh 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 films starred Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. In 2015 Morani co-producer the film Dilwale in association with Red Chillies Entertainment and Gauri Khan. The film was directed by Rohit Shetty and starred Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan and Kajol.[5][6]

Controversies

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]

Model Rape Case

In 2017 Morani was booked by Hyderabad police for the rape of a 25-year-old Delhi-based student.[13] 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.[14][15]

Personal life

Karim Morani is married to Zara Morani and the couple have two daughters. Their older daughter Zoa Morani is an Indian film actress.[16] On 8 April he was diagnosed with Coronavirus.