Mum Bhai

Mum Bhai is a colloquial term, primarily used in India, referring to the nexus between some members of the Mumbai (formerly Bombay) underworld and individuals within the Hindi film industry (Bollywood). The term implies a mutually beneficial, and often coercive, relationship where gangsters provide protection, financing, or enforce demands, while film personalities may provide funding, legitimacy, or access in return.

The phrase gained prominence in the 1990s and early 2000s, a period marked by increased organized crime activity in Mumbai and heightened media scrutiny. While the exact origins of the term are debated, it reflects the perceived symbiotic, albeit often dangerous, relationship between criminal elements and elements of the film industry. Activities associated with this nexus have included extortion, threats, money laundering, and even violence.

The "Mum Bhai" phenomenon has been explored in various films, books, and journalistic investigations, contributing to its widespread recognition in Indian popular culture. While the influence of organized crime on Bollywood has reportedly diminished in recent years due to increased security measures and law enforcement efforts, the term continues to be used to evoke the historical connections between the Mumbai underworld and the film industry.