It seems like dark clouds are still hovering over Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment, which has been in the headlines for quite some time now, facing some shocking controversies. Just as the issue of non-payment of dues to crew members on the sets of their recent flop films was fading, a new controversy has arisen—this time, involving another case of non-payment of fees. 

According to the latest reports circulating online, Bade Miyaan Chote Miyaan director Ali Abbas Zafar has accused Vashu Bhagnani and his production company of not clearing his dues, amounting to a substantial sum. Zafar has even approached the Director's Association to assist in recovering his unpaid fees. It seems that this dispute has deepened, with more details emerging. 

Ali Abbas Zafar Accuses Pooja Entertainment

For those unaware, Bade Miyaan Chote Miyaan, starring Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Alaya F, Sonakshi Sinha, and Manushi Chhillar, was directed and written by Ali Abbas Zafar. The film, which was mounted on a budget of ₹350 crore, also featured Prithviraj Sukumaran as the villain. Despite the buzz, the movie failed to attract a significant audience at the box office and was soon declared a massive disaster. Now, Ali Abbas Zafar has complained that his dues have not been cleared by the production house.

According to Dainik Bhaskar, Ali was supposed to receive ₹7.30 crore from Pooja Entertainment for Bade Miyaan Chote Miyaan, but he has not yet received the payment. The filmmaker has approached the Director's Association, which, on July 31, 2024, wrote to the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) requesting their intervention. FWICE then sent a letter to Pooja Entertainment regarding the complaint.

What is surprising is that Pooja Entertainment has denied the allegations, stating that the claims made by Ali Abbas Zafar are false. In their response, the production house wrote, "The dues claimed do not constitute a legitimate claim and are liable to various set-offs, as informed to us by BMCM Films Ltd.” FWICE has now asked Ali Abbas Zafar to provide proof of non-payment and substantiate his claim that he was promised ₹7.30 crore by the production house. The director has refused to comment, fearing that it might delay the payment further.

This Isn't the First Time

This is not the first time Pooja Entertainment has faced such accusations. Recently, FWICE president BN Tiwari revealed that Vashu Bhagnani and Pooja Entertainment owe over ₹65 lakhs to crew members across three films: Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyaan Chote Miyaan. All of these films were big flops, despite being made on enormous budgets. There were also reports in June that Vashu Bhagnani sold off the lavish seven-story Pooja Entertainment office in Mumbai to clear his ₹250 crore debts. Additionally, the company reportedly laid off 80% of its employees as part of cost-cutting measures.

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