'BMCM' director accuses Vashu Bhagnani of non-payment of over ₹7cr
What's the story
Filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar has reportedly accused producer Vashu Bhagnani and his company Pooja Entertainment of not paying him ₹7.30 crore for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. The film, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, was a box office failure, earning only around ₹100 crore against its ₹350 crore budget. This allegation follows previous accusations against Pooja Entertainment for non-payment of dues to crew members.
Complaint details
Zafar files complaint with directors' association
Zafar has reportedly filed a complaint with the Directors's Association against Pooja Entertainment over the unpaid dues, reported TOI. The Directors's Association, in turn, wrote to the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) on July 31, 2024, seeking its intervention. FWICE then sent a letter to Bhagnani demanding an explanation for Zafar's claims.
Producer's response
Pooja Entertainment denies Zafar's claims
In response to FWICE's letter, Pooja Entertainment denied Zafar's allegations. The production house stated, "The dues claimed do not constitute a legitimate claim and are liable to various set-offs, as informed to us by BMCM Films Ltd." FWICE has now asked Zafar to provide evidence supporting his claims of unpaid dues.
Past allegations
Pooja Entertainment previously accused of non-payment to crew members
This is not the first time Pooja Entertainment has faced allegations of non-payment. FWICE President BN Tiwari had previously disclosed that the production house owes over ₹65 lakh to crew members on Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. In June, reports emerged that Bhagnani had sold off the seven-story Pooja Entertainment office in Mumbai to settle a ₹250 crore debt, though Bhagnani clarified this wasn't true.