Vashu Bhagnani vs Ali Abbas Zafar controversy explained: From police complaint to non-payment of dues

Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky Bhagnani of Pooja Entertainment have been involved in a massive controversy after Ali Abbas Zafar, who has directed films like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai, accused them of non-payment of dues for the film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. This has opened the pandora's box with serious accusations being levelled against each other. Here's all you need to know!

Vashu Bhagnani VS Ali Abbas Zafar controversy explained

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It started after Ali Abbas Zafar accused the production house of nonpayment of his dues. He alleged that the production company had not paid him Rs 7.30 crore, which was his fee for the film he directed. He complained to the Directors' Association, which in turn escalated the matter to FWICE. When FWICE sent a letter to Pooja Entertainment, Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky Bhagnani denied the claim. "The dues complained do not constitute a legitimate claim and are subject to various set-offs as communicated to us by BMCM Films ltd," they said. Made on a budget of Rs 350 crore, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan made close to Rs 60 crores in total at the box office.

At that time, FWICE President BN Tiwari had also confirmed that Pooja Entertainment owed Rs 65 lakhs to its crew members who worked on Mission Raniganj, Ganapath and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.

In June this year, an ex-employee Ruchita Kamble who once worked at Pooja Entertainment had also accused the company of non-payment of dues.

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Taking to Instagram, she wrote, "I'm not the one to ever make such posts, but sometimes people need to be ousted! Seeing my team and the crew I worked with struggle day in and day out to just get hold of our own hard-earned money has compelled me to make this post. Read the sheer frustration of these young girls, who have beautifully stated the absolute disregard @pooja_ent has and the sheer unprofessional, unethical behavior that we all have been tolerating for way too long."

"Producer of Akshay Kumar¡¯s 3 flops: Vashu Bhagnani sells office, fires 80% employees to pay off €250 cr debt Akshay Kumar charged highest in last 3 movies and all turned to be big flops."
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Soon, reports emerged that Vashu Bhagnani sold off his office and fired 80 percent of employees to pay off a debt of Rs 250 crores. However, the producer later denied these claims.

Vashu Bhagnani's Police Complaint against Ali Abbas Zafar

Accusing director Ali Abbas Zafar of siphoning the subsidy funds he took from Abu Dhabi authorities during the shoot of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Vashu Bhagnani filed a complaint against him at the Bandra police station on September 3. As per the complaint, Bhagnani has accused Ali Abbas Zaffar, Himanshu Mehra, Ekesh Ranadive among others of fraud, cheating, criminal intimidation, misappropriation of funds, fabrication of invoices, criminal conspiracy, money laundering as well as harassment.

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Bhagnani has also accused Zafar of using a fake company in Abu Dhabi to carry out illegal activities. He claimed that the defendants broke their contract, didn't provide clear financial records, and made payment demands without permission, which led to the legal action.

Also Read: Who is Vashu Bhagnani, film producer who has accused director Ali Abbas Zafar of ¡®criminal conspiracy¡¯?

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