The Bollywood film industry has been abuzz with the latest controversy surrounding producer Vashu Bhagnani and director Ali Abbas Zafar. Zafar has lodged a complaint with the Directors’ Association, alleging that Bhagnani’s production house, Pooja Entertainment, owes him ₹7.30 crore in unpaid fees for his work on the 2023 film “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan“. However, Pooja Entertainment has vehemently denied these claims, stating that Zafar’s demands are “not legitimate” and “subject to various set-offs”.
A Troubled Production House?
Pooja Entertainment, once a leading production house in Bollywood, has faced significant financial struggles in recent years. The production house has suffered a string of box office failures, including “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan”, which reportedly earned only ₹100 crore against a massive budget of ₹350 crore. This has led to speculation about the company’s financial stability. watch the movie trailer here:
Ali Abbas Zafar’s Complaint
Zafar’s complaint to the Directors’ Association alleges that Pooja Entertainment has failed to pay him his due fees for directing “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan”, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. The association promptly sought intervention from the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE), which sent a letter to Bhagnani requesting an explanation.
Pooja Entertainment’s Response
In a statement, Pooja Entertainment denied Zafar’s claims, stating that “the dues claimed do not constitute a legitimate claim and are subject to various set-offs”. The production house has also communicated this to BMCM Films Ltd. FWICE has now requested Zafar to provide evidence to support his claims, but the director has chosen to remain silent, reportedly fearing that public comments might further delay his payment.
A History of Unpaid Dues?
This is not the first time Pooja Entertainment has faced allegations of unpaid dues. In June, reports surfaced that the production house owed ₹65 lakh to crew members for three films: “Mission Raniganj”, “Ganapath”, and “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan”. To address financial woes, Bhagnani reportedly sold the lavish seven-storeyed Pooja Entertainment office in Mumbai to settle a debt of ₹250 crore and laid off 80% of the production house’s staff.
Vashu Bhagnani’s Rise and Fall
Vashu Bhagnani, born in Kolkata, began his career as a builder before venturing into film production with David Dhawan’s 1995 hit “Coolie No. 1”. He went on to produce successful films like “Hero No. 1”, “Biwi No. 1”, and “Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein”. However, his production house has struggled in recent years, with several box office failures.
The Road Ahead
As the controversy unfolds, the question remains: are Zafar’s claims legitimate, or is this a case of unfounded allegations? With FWICE requesting evidence from Zafar and Pooja Entertainment denying the claims, the outcome of this dispute is uncertain. One thing is clear: the Bollywood film industry will be watching this case closely, as it highlights the financial struggles and complexities that can arise in the world of cinema.
The Verdict is Still Out
As the dispute between Ali Abbas Zafar and Pooja Entertainment continues, the industry awaits evidence to support Zafar’s claims. Until then, the question of unpaid dues or unfounded claims remains unanswered.
Filmography of Ali Abbas Zafar:
Filmography
As Director:
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011)
Gunday (2014)
Sultan (2016)
Tiger Zinda Hai (2017)
Bharat (2019)
Jogi (2022)
Bloody Daddy (2023)
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2023)
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