Who is Karim Morani? Why is he so important to Bollywood?

With Karim Morani's surrender to the police in connection with a rape case, the Bollywood producer has come in the spotlight. A 25-year-old Delhi-based woman has alleged that Karim Morani drugged her and raped her several times over a period of one-and-a-half years, starting July 2015. She has also accused him of clicking nude pictures of her and threatening to leak them.

But who is Karim Morani and why is he so important to Bollywood?

Karim Morani is one of the founders of Cineyug, an entertainment company that dabbles in film production, live performances, award shows etc. The company's website has several testimonials from Bollywood A-listers. Shah Rukh Khan writes, "Cineyug as an entertainment company to me is like a family," while Aamir Khan says that he has "always enjoyed working with them".

According to their website, "Cineyug has been the name behind some of the most memorable, larger-than-life events like the Filmfare Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Screen Awards, Big Star Entertainment Awards." They have also organised numerous world tours featuring actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor and Preity Zinta.

Not just this, Karim Morani is a top producer, having financed films like Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone-starrer Chennai Express. He co-produced Rohit Shetty's Dilwale, which featured Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. He has also been the associate producer of Farah Khan's Happy New Year and Anubhav Sinha's Ra.One.

In 2011, Karim Morani had come under the scanner for his alleged involvement in the 2G spectrum scam. Allegedly, he facilitated the transfer of Rs 200 crore to the DMK-run Kalaignar TV, taking a commission of Rs 6 crore for the transaction.

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