Bollywood Payment Controversy; Vashu Bhagnani | Vivek Agnihotri | Allegations on Vashu Bhagnani- Director’s 7 crores withheld: Vivek Agnihotri did not pay 1 lakh; Cine Association said- Producers trap the fees

In July 2024, news came about the country’s famous filmmaker Vasu Bhagnani that he had not paid Rs 65 lakh to the crew members working in his film. For this, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had to intervene. It put pressure on Vasu, after which he paid the crew members last month i.e. in August.

However, this was just half-baked news. When Dainik Bhaskar reached FWICE office for investigation, a different story was revealed. FWICE President BN Tiwari said that Vasu Bhagnani has withheld Rs 7.3 crore of director Ali Abbas Zafar. Also, he has not paid Rs 27 lakh of Mission Raniganj director Tinu Desai. Ali Abbas has also filed a complaint in the Directors Association regarding this.

We also spoke to Suresh Gupta, president of the All India Cine Workers Association, on this issue. He said that such incidents have become common in the industry for the past few years. Production companies get work done from actors, directors and crew members, but when it comes to paying the money, they start making excuses.

Through this story, we exposed 3 such cases, for which we spoke to four people…

Case-1: Federation claims- Vasu Bhagnani did not pay crores of rupees of directors

On July 31, 2024, the Indian Film and Television Directors Association (IFTDA) wrote a letter to the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE), the mother body of all associations related to the film industry. It was written in that letter – We have received a complaint from director Ali Abbas Zafar against Pooja Entertainment for non-payment of money. We appeal to you (FWICE) to settle this matter as soon as possible.

Taking action on IFTDA’s letter, FWICE wrote a letter to Vasu Bhagnani’s company Pooja Entertainment on 7 August 2024. It read – We have received a complaint from IFTDA that your company has not paid director Ali Abbas Zafar’s money. We would expect you to pay the complainant his money through cheque or demand draft. If you have some version, then give your reply within 7 days of sending this letter. Keep in mind that the matter is now with the Federation, so there should be no scope for any settlement from outside.

On August 14, 2024, Pooja Entertainment responded to FWICE’s letter. They wrote in the reply letter- The complainant should first share a copy of his complaint with us. Whatever money he is demanding is not valid. He has signed a lot of agreements in the initial stage itself, so we have nothing to do with his outstanding amount.

FWICE transferred Pooja Entertainment’s reply letter to Ali Abbas Zafar. FWICE has instructed Ali to provide all the evidence. FWICE President B.N Tiwari said that as soon as Ali submits the evidence, we will recover his payment.

When we contacted Ali Abbas Zafar in this matter, he said- Look, this matter is with the Director Association. I cannot say anything about it right now. Saying this, he hung up the phone. A source close to Ali said- Ali does not want this matter to come out right now. He is afraid that if this matter comes out, his payment may get stuck.

We also tried to know Vasu Bhagnani’s side. Vasu said- If you get any proof, then go ahead. Otherwise publish news against those who are making such baseless allegations.

Case-2: Vivek Agnihotri also accused of not making payment Suresh Gupta, president of All India Cine Workers, said that he has received a complaint against a big film maker like Vivek Agnihotri. He said, ‘Vivek did not pay the wages of Ashish Dubey, who worked as a script supervisor in his film The Last Show. Although Vivek Agnihotri talks big on social media every day, but he himself is sitting on someone’s money.’

The accusers said that they were expecting payment after Kashmir Files became a hit, but that did not happen We called Ashish Dubey to confirm this. He said, ‘Yes, Vivek Agnihotri had to give me 1.5 lakh rupees. He gave me about 50 thousand, but one lakh rupees is still pending.

When his film The Kashmir Files became a hit, I thought I would get my money back, however that did not happen.

Ashish Dubey has also shared the screenshot of WhatsApp chat with Vivek Agnihotri.

Ashish said that it has been 4 years but he has not received his money yet. He also talked to Vivek Agnihotri in the initial stages. Vivek said that I do not look after the finance work, so do not message or call me again and again.

We also tried to know Vivek Agnihotri’s version, but he did not reply to our message.

Case-3: TV actress Krishna Mukherjee said- When she asked for fees, she was locked in the makeup room According to serial Yeh Hai Mohabbatein fame actress Krishna Mukherjee, her money is stuck for the last 2 years. She said, ‘I was shooting for Dangal TV’s show Shubh Shagun.

This show was running under the banner of Rahul Media Production. Our shoot lasted for 7 months. The show’s producer Kundan Singh paid me only for 2 months. I have not yet received Rs 39 lakh as fee for 5 months.

Krishna further said, ‘It was the night of October 3, 2022, I was going to the makeup room after finishing my shift. Then Executive Director Prabhat and Sameer Kazmi blocked my way. They said that you cannot go after finishing the shoot right now. I said that my shift is over. They said that I will have to work overtime. I went to the makeup room in anger. These people closed the door from outside. Later they started saying that they will not give you your money, do whatever you want to do.’

Krishna has worked in famous TV serials like Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, Hasratein and Yeh Hai Aashiqui.

Krishna Mukherjee waited for almost a year to get his money back, but it did not happen. Finally, on 18 September 2023, he filed an FIR. Four other artists working with Krishna in the same show also filed a complaint against Rahul Media Production. The total outstanding fees of all the artists was more than Rs 81 lakh. Till now no one has received a single penny.

Rahul Thackeray manages Rahul Media Productions. Rahul is the son of Balasaheb Thackeray’s middle son Jaidev Thackeray and Smita.

Copy of the FIR filed by Krishna Mukherjee and her fellow artists against Rahul Media Production..

The matter has now reached the court Krishna told that the case has currently gone to Borivali Court No. 17 in Mumbai. The first hearing was to be held in the court on August 21, 2024, but no one was present from Rahul Media Production. The court has set the next date of hearing on September 25.