Farhan's Production House Issues Clarification On Non-Payment Of Dues To 'Mirzapur 3' Workers

Farhan Akhtar has been in the spotlight for his Hollywood debut in Ms Marvel, but this time it isn't good news for the actor as Excel Entertainment, which is owned by Ritesh Sidwani and Farhan, has been accused of failing to pay workers' monthly wages.

The Film Studios Setting & Allied Mazdoor Union (FSSAMU) has openly accused the production team of failing to pay 300 daily-wage employees who were a member of the Mirzapur Season 3 production design team.

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According to the Union, the daily employees are owed between 20 and 25 lakh as of May 2022, but they have continued to work on the Mirzapur set despite not being paid.

The web series Mirzapur is one of the most highly anticipated shows. It is well-liked by the general audience and has been a superhit series with seasons 1 and 2. The upcoming season of Mirzapur has been eagerly anticipated by viewers, but with the recent news, many people are sure to get upset.

FSSAMU Allegedly Accuses Farhan Khan¡¯s Excel Entertainment For Non-Payment

According to FSSAMU, in a letter to the media, the workers are forced to work for extended periods of time that exceed the legal limits under labour law. They are allegedly not given good food or enough seating on set, according to the complaint.

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The Union asserts to have written the production house three warring letters. More than 300 daily wage workers who have been working on the Mirzapur 3 sets since May haven't received payment in more than three months, he continued. The production firm did not respond, but after the letter to the media was published, the production house contacted them and pledged to settle the debts within 48 hours.

Following The Alleged Accusation, Excel Entertainment Issued A Public Statement

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The company representative reached out to Indiatimes and here's their official statement:

We have been apprised of grievances raised by Film Studios Setting & Allied Mazdoor Union through a few media reports. We would like to state here that this is the first time we are being made aware about such a complaint raised by this union. We would like to further put on record that the Film Studios Setting & Allied Mazdoor Union has not reached out to Excel through letter/e-mail/phone calls before going to press. We are surprised to hear about these complaints through media reports. Excel currently has 7-8 projects under production and none of these projects has any non-payment-related issues.

Also for the past 22 years of Excel being in the business of film/content production, we have never come across any non-payment complaints against us. Excel has a very strict payment compliance policy whereby we directly make payments to daily wage workers and not to any union. We will investigate this matter from our end. In addition to the aforesaid, we would like to also mention that Excel enjoys a stellar reputation in the industry for treating all collaborators be they actors, technicians or daily wage workers with equal respect and dignity.

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