The director of Melbourne's most notorious nightclub, Love Machine, was actively pursuing hospitality employment opportunities overseas in the months preceding another devastating arson attack that struck his scandal-ridden venue in the city's inner south-east.
Dubai Job Hunt Revealed
Nightclub proprietor Dhir Kakar, who serves as director of Sterling Nightclubs Pty Ltd, a company supported by a consortium of investors from both Melbourne and India, had been seeking work in the Middle East just four months before the Prahran establishment went up in flames during a suspected firebombing incident in the early hours of Thursday morning.
In November of last year, Kakar responded to a LinkedIn job advertisement for a restaurant manager position at Beach, Bar and Grill outlets within a luxurious five-star resort located in Dubai Marina. He wrote: 'I'm interested in this - where should I apply?' That same month, he also commented 'interested' on another job advertisement seeking a bar manager for one of Dubai's most exclusive beach clubs.
Kakar's Current Whereabouts and Background
The 46-year-old father-of-three is now understood to be in India following this latest attack on his business. Kakar is no stranger to the dramatic highs and lows of Melbourne's vibrant nightlife scene, having previously worked at several prominent establishments including Young and Jackson pub in the CBD, The Espy in St Kilda, and Revelers Bar on Chapel Street – situated just metres away from Love Machine.
While he appeared to be eyeing a potential relocation to Dubai for employment purposes, Kakar has also been documented seeking romantic connections on dating websites Matchfinder and IndianCupid. On the latter platform, under its 'Chubby Indian Men' section, he claimed to be 40 years old.
The Early Morning Blaze
Police officers on patrol spotted the intense blaze at the corner of Malvern Road and Chapel Street in Prahran shortly after 2am. Approximately at the same time, a witness contacted emergency services to report hearing a loud bang and observing a light-coloured hatchback fleeing the scene at high speed.
Fire crews arrived within four minutes of being alerted, with 45 firefighters ultimately called in to battle the ferocious inferno that engulfed the nightclub building.
Police Investigation Details
Local Area Commander Acting Inspector Kim Bramwell confirmed that authorities are treating the blaze as suspicious, noting that the club's front roller door had been forced open with what she described as 'significant force.' She stated: 'It is quite possible that it was rammed, and that's an avenue we will investigate. Everything is on the table.'
Police currently believe that multiple offenders used a vehicle to ram the front door before spreading accelerant throughout the premises and setting it alight. Investigators seized two 20-litre jerry cans from the front of the nightclub as evidence.
Acting Inspector Bramwell added: 'We are very fortunate this incident occurred overnight on a weeknight rather than during a weekend, with Chapel Street being such a thriving entertainment precinct. The fact that no one was injured represents our saving grace at this moment.'
History of Violence and Scandal
The 46-year-old Kakar has been consistently linked to troubled venues plagued by years of scandal, including multiple arson attacks, a double-fatal drive-by shooting, rape allegations, violent brawls involving gangland figures, and dramatic confrontations between bikies and security staff.
Last year, Western Bulldogs football star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan narrowly avoided being shot when gunmen opened fire during the early hours of a Sunday morning. Ugle-Hagan, who was not accused of any wrongdoing, was inside the notorious club when an argument erupted before shots were fired outside the building. This incident represented the third violent attack at the venue within a matter of weeks at that time.
Previous Community Concerns
Local residents had previously called for Love Machine to be permanently shut down following a spate of violent incidents that prompted the liquor regulator to order the club's temporary closure. The venue's licensee was later served with a suspension order amid ongoing violence and brawls that continued to plague the establishment.
In April 2019, a security guard and a patron were killed in an early morning drive-by shooting outside the venue, with three additional individuals struck by bullets during the incident. Jacob Elliott, the son of self-described 'Mad Lebo' Nabil Maghnie, fired four shots toward Love Machine nightclub from a car driven by Allan Fares, 24, on April 14, 2019.
Both men argued they hadn't acted with murderous intent, but a jury found them guilty of the charges on Thursday afternoon. Security guard Aaron Osmani, 37, and club patron Richard Arow, 28, were both fatally struck in the head by the gunshots outside the venue on Little Chapel Street.
Related Business Also Targeted
Sterling Nightclubs also operated Lux nightclub in South Yarra, located just a short walk from Love Machine. This establishment was similarly targeted in a separate arson attack in November 2024. Fortunately, no one was injured during that incident as the club was closed at the time.
Current Investigation Status
Victoria Police have confirmed that two men – aged 21 and 22 from Pakenham on Melbourne's outskirts – have been arrested in relation to the recent fire. Authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information to come forward as their investigation progresses.
