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Bollywood’s glittering world occasionally finds itself embroiled in controversy, and the recent legal tussle between director Ali Abbas Zafar and producer Jackky Bhagnani is no exception. On September 3, 2024, Bhagnani, along with his father Vashu Bhagnani, co-owner of Pooja Entertainment, lodged a formal complaint against Zafar at the Bandra police station, accusing him of extortion, harassment, and a host of other charges.
Let’s delve deeper into the details of this controversy.
The Allegations: Fraud, Misappropriation, and More
The complaint filed by the Bhagnanis centers around the alleged misappropriation of funds by Ali Abbas Zafar. According to them, Zafar siphoned off subsidy funds provided by the Abu Dhabi government during the shoot of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Bhagnani claims that Zafar, along with associates Himanshu Mehra and Ekesh Ranadive, engaged in:
- Fraud and cheating
- Criminal intimidation
- Fabrication of invoices
- Money laundering
- Criminal conspiracy
The Bhagnanis further allege that Zafar used a shell company in Abu Dhabi to facilitate these fraudulent activities. They have also accused the director of violating contractual agreements, failing to provide transparent financial records, and making unauthorized payment demands, ultimately pushing them toward legal action.
How Did It All Start?
The controversy took root when Zafar claimed that the production house had withheld his fees for directing Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, amounting to ₹7.30 crore. In response to the non-payment, Zafar filed a complaint with the Directors’ Association, which then referred the matter to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).
FWICE sent a letter to Pooja Entertainment seeking clarification. However, the production house denied Zafar’s claims, asserting that the dues were not legitimate and were subject to various financial adjustments. In their official statement, Pooja Entertainment argued that Zafar’s demands were unreasonable and unjustified.
History of Non-Payment Allegations Against Pooja Entertainment
This isn’t the first time Pooja Entertainment has found itself facing accusations of non-payment. Earlier, a crew member named Ruchita Kamble posted a lengthy statement on Instagram, warning others against working with the production house. She alleged that the company owed significant sums to various crew members.
FWICE President BN Tiwari also confirmed that Pooja Entertainment had unpaid dues totaling ₹65 lakh to several crew members who worked on Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. This recurring pattern has raised concerns about the production house’s financial practices.
A Closer Look at Bade Miyan Chote Miyan
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, featuring Bollywood heavyweights Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, hit theaters in April 2024. Despite the star-studded cast and high expectations, the film failed to make a significant mark at the box office. With a production budget of ₹350 crore, the film managed to gross just ₹59.17 crore, falling well short of recouping its costs.
The underperformance of the movie may have added fuel to the fire in the ongoing dispute between Zafar and the Bhagnanis, with both sides accusing each other of financial mismanagement.
What’s Next?
As the legal proceedings continue, the film industry watches closely to see how the case unfolds. The accusations against Zafar are serious, and the outcome of this case could set a precedent for future disputes between filmmakers and production houses in Bollywood. Moreover, the controversy has spotlighted the importance of financial transparency and contractual integrity in the film industry, issues that are often brushed under the carpet.
For now, the public awaits further developments, as both parties prepare to present their cases in court.
