What Occurred to Somen ‘Steve’ Banerjee?

The most recent Hulu true crime mini series, Welcome to Chippendales, explores the founding of the long-lasting male strip membership, Chippendales, again within the Eighties and the shady goings on that were tied to the enterprise. Particularly, the collection, which drops on Nov. 22 and is predicated on true events, dives into the lifetime of Somen “Steve” Banerjee, exhibiting viewers the crimes that led to his downfall.

Whereas Somen was wildly profitable with Chippendales, the enterprise bought fairly messy and his relationships along with his enterprise companions and rivals shortly deteriorated. Somen was ultimately arrested for hiring somebody to murder his enterprise associate, the well-known choreographer Nick de Noia, and in addition allegedly plotted to kill a number of others.

However what occurred to Somen and is he nonetheless alive? Right here’s what it’s essential know.

Somen ‘Steve’ Banerjee was born in Bombay, India.

Somen immigrated to the U.S. from Bombay, and have become an entrepreneur, in line with ABC News. Somen first labored as a janitor after which purchased a number of Mobil gasoline stations in Los Angeles, in line with Los Angeles Magazine.

He based Chippendales.

Somen purchased a cocktail lounge in 1975, and determined to name it Future II, LA Magazine explains. There, he and his associate Bruce Nahin tried luring in clients utilizing magic exhibits, providing a dinner theater, and even feminine mud wrestling, however any such leisure simply wasn’t bringing within the massive crowds they hoped to see.

Finally the 2 met a person named Paul Snider, who labored with Hugh Hefner and was married to a Playboy Playmate named Dorothy Stratton. Snider prompt that Somen check out an all-male strip evening. They ended up making an attempt it one evening per week earlier than remodeling the membership in 1979 and renaming it Chippendales, the journal and web site say.

The Chippendales website explains that the title got here from the “traditional Chippendales-style furnishings that adorned the membership the place the blokes first carried out.” Chippendales went on to make thousands and thousands from the membership and associated merch, The New York Times says.

Somen had a spouse and youngsters.

He married a girl named Irene, who died in 2001. They’d two youngsters collectively—Lindsay and Christian, in line with her obituary. Christian is now a stripper, telling the New York Post that it is a “religious calling” that offers him a “sense of that means.”

“I noticed different guys dancing and stated I wanted to step up my recreation so I began taking classes,” he stated. “Once I did my fireman routine, I noticed that I didn’t wish to do some other job in my life.”

Somen is performed by Kumail Nanjiani within the collection.

Kumail instructed The New York Times that he didn’t notice his character was a foul man till he noticed tough cuts of the collection.

“The way in which the character is written, he’s searching for validation outdoors of himself,” Kumail stated. “Having executed 10 years of standup comedy in horrible bars, that’s a factor that I actually can relate to. He actually doesn’t like himself. He’s very uncomfortable in his personal pores and skin. The one means he can really feel he has worth is by being profitable. However I believe he additionally felt a little bit little bit of disgrace about the best way he was earning profits.”

Somen was arrested in 1993 for hiring somebody to homicide his enterprise associate.

Somen employed a person to kill Chippendales choreographer Nick De Noia after a enterprise dispute in 1987, the Occasions explains. (De Noia was shot within the face with a big caliber pistol whereas he was in his workplace, per the New York Post.)

Moreover, Somen tried to unsuccessfully orchestrate the homicide of different colleagues, the Occasions says. He even “tried to burn down competing golf equipment and have ex-dancers killed,” LA Magazine stated.

What occurred to Somen Banerjee?

Somen pleaded responsible to murder-for-hire, racketeering, and tried arson, the Occasions reported. However he hanged himself in his jail cell in 1994, the day earlier than his sentencing, per the Occasions.

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Who owns Chippendales now?

The reply is a bit unclear, however Chippendales continues to be thriving, and even has a Las Vegas show. The dancers additionally go on tour, JIC you wish to test it out for your self.

“As we speak, the Chippendales flagship location hosts thousands and thousands of ladies annually at their very personal theater contained in the Rio All-Suite Resort & On line casino in Las Vegas,” the web site says. “The $10m advanced is decked out with a swank retail boutique, horny bar and lounge the place the viewers can meet the Males of Chippendales and flirt one-on-one… or two-on-one…”

The model was bought within the Nineteen Nineties by Lou Pearlman, a document producer, who later went to jail for fraud, per The Cinemaholic. Then, in 2000, Chippendales was offered to “Kevin Denberg and a number of other different traders” the web site says. “Denberg and his group reinvigorate the model and the business. Their adjustments garner the eye of the ladies of Technology Y.”