As a lifelong Bollywood enthusiast who’s seen more films than I can count on my fingers and toes, I must say, the ongoing saga of Pooja Entertainment is nothing short of disheartening. It’s like watching a blockbuster movie with a disappointing ending.
The ongoing troubles with Pooja Entertainment refuse to subside, as numerous artists have expressed worries about unpaid debts over the last few months. Most recently, Ali Abbas Zafar, director of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, has added his voice to this issue, lodging a complaint against Vashu Bhagnani, the proprietor of Pooja Entertainment.
As per a recent article in Dainik Bhaskar, Zafar sought assistance from the Directors’ Association over an unpaid sum of approximately 73 million rupees (Rs 7.30 crore) from Pooja Entertainment. This payment is due to him as he directed the film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan which unfortunately didn’t fare well at the box office this year, managing to recoup less than half of its budget.
On July 31, 2024, the Directors’ Association took action and contacted the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) for help in addressing Zafar’s complaint. FWICE then requested clarification from Bhagnani about the allegations. Contrarily, Pooja Entertainment strongly refuted the assertions made by Zafar.
According to reports, BMCM Films Ltd informed FWICE that the fees being demanded are questionable and can be offset in several ways. Now, FWICE has requested Abbas to provide solid evidence backing his statements about non-payment. However, Ek Tha Tiger’s director, Abbas, has remained silent on this issue, as he is concerned that speaking out may further postpone his payment.
Previously disclosed by FWICE president BN Tiwari, Pooja Entertainment is in debt to film crew members for over Rs 65 lakh, specifically related to the movies – Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Additionally, there have been rumors about property sales and staff reductions at this production company.
A recent article in The Indian Express, published on June 29, 2024, shed light on Pooja Entertainment’s financial predicament, specifically their failure to make payments. This revelation has raised many questions, as it appears that the production house has neglected to pay not only the crew and those behind the scenes, but also key actors like Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Sonakshi Sinha, Manushi Chillar, and others.
It’s unfortunate that Pooja Entertainment didn’t dispute the non-payment claims; instead, they issued a press statement expressing gratitude to Akshay Kumar for waiving his fee so that other team members could get paid. I find this entire situation rather peculiar and commendable at the same time. What are your thoughts on this matter, @pinkvilla?
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2024-09-22 16:23