Veteran Producer Faces Allegations of Non-Payment
Vashu Bhagnani, known for producing hit movies like “Coolie No. 1,” “Hero No. 1,” and “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” is now facing serious allegations. Reports indicate that he owes Rs 65 lakh to various crew members, including the director of “Mission Raniganj.”
Details of the Debt
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) President, BN Tiwari, revealed on June 28 that Bhagnani owes money to over 250 workers. These workers contributed to three of his recent films: “Mission Raniganj,” “Ganapath,” and “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.” Specifically, Bhagnani owes Rs 33.13 lakh to Tinu Suresh Desai, the director of “Mission Raniganj.”
The Complaint from Tinu Desai
In 2023, Tinu Desai filed a complaint with the Indian Film & Television Director’s Association (IFTDA) regarding the non-payment of his dues. Desai claimed he worked on “Mission Raniganj,” which starred Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra, from February 2022 to October 2023. According to his contract with Bhagnani’s company, Pooja Entertainment, Desai was supposed to receive Rs 4,03,50,000 but has only been paid Rs 3,70,36,092 so far.
Delayed Payments and Promises
Pooja Entertainment, citing Jackky Bhagnani’s wedding, requested more time to pay the dues in an email to IFTDA in February 2024. Despite these requests, FWICE emphasized that payments were still pending. The company then promised to clear the dues after the release of “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” but no payments have been made yet.
Future Consequences
BN Tiwari warned that if Bhagnani’s company fails to settle the debts by the end of July, the workers will refuse to work on any of his future films. This ongoing controversy highlights the importance of timely payments and the consequences of failing to honor financial commitments.
The Bigger Picture
This controversy comes amidst reports of Bhagnani facing a Rs 250 crore debt after recent productions, including the flop of “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” featuring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. The situation reflects the financial struggles and complexities in the film industry, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
As the end-of-July deadline approaches, the film industry is watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and whether Vashu Bhagnani will resolve the issue with his unpaid crew members.
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