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Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Film Dispute
Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky Bhagnani, prominent figures at Pooja Entertainment, have formally accused filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar of financial misconduct involving a substantial sum of Rs 9.50 crore linked to the production of the film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. The complaint was lodged with authorities on September 3, and reports indicate that Zafar may soon face questioning by Bandra Police in Mumbai.
The allegations include serious charges such as coercion, criminal breach of trust, extortion, blackmail, intimidation, harassment, criminal defamation, and money laundering. The Bhagnanis contend that Zafar misappropriated financial support he received from the Abu Dhabi government, purportedly funneled through a shell company established in the UAE.
In a twist to the escalating conflict, Zafar has countered the claims, asserting that the Bhagnanis owe him Rs 7.30 crore in unpaid fees for his work on Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Per reports from Dainik Bhaskar, Zafar has reached out to the Directors’ Association for mediation regarding this financial disagreement. Following his complaint, the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) has also contacted Vashu Bhagnani, demanding clarification regarding the alleged outstanding payments.
Pooja Entertainment has promptly rejected Zafar’s allegations, stating that the claimed dues do not constitute a legitimate financial obligation and are subject to various offsets, as clarified by BMCM Films Ltd. Furthermore, FWICE has requested Zafar to provide evidence to support his claims of unpaid dues.
Background on the Film
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, the latest incarnation of the film franchise, features contemporary stars Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, diverging from the 1998 original which showcased legendary actors Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda. Despite the high-profile cast, the film released earlier this year faced widespread criticism and was met with a lukewarm reception from both audiences and critics. Since his departure from Yash Raj Films (YRF), Ali Abbas Zafar has been striving for a significant comeback, but thus far has not achieved success with his recent projects.
Source
www.news18.com