In a recent turn of events, Ali Abbas Zafar, renowned film director and producer, found himself amid swirling controversies and allegations of fund misappropriation. However, contrary to these claims, numerous crew members from his latest project, ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’, have rallied to his defense, vouching for his integrity and the transparency with which he managed the production finances.
Ali Abbas Zafar, celebrated for his directorial ventures, recently filed a grievance against Pooja Entertainment for non-payment of dues. This sparked a retaliatory counterclaim from the production house, accusing Zafar and his partner, Himanshu Mehra, along with their finance head Ekesh Ranadive, of embezzling the subsidy funds provided by Abu Dhabi authorities for the film’s production. These statements alleged that the trio had attempted to tarnish the company’s reputation and had unlawfully taken control of financial resources earmarked for the movie’s production.
Khalid, an actor who was part of the ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ ensemble, swiftly took to social media to debunk these accusations. He recounted his personal ordeal, revealing that he had to essentially “beg” Pooja Entertainment for his payments. When approached, he said Jackky Bhagnani, an actor-producer affiliated with Pooja Entertainment, gave him assurances but later “blocked” him from further communication. Khalid emphasized that it was only the team at AAZ Films, led by Zafar, that consistently answered calls and reassured him, eventually ensuring that all his dues were settled. He insisted he would have remained silent had these false accusations not been aimed at Zafar.
Adding momentum to this wave of support, Parvez Shaikh, the action director for ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’, labeled the accusations against AAZ Films as “completely baseless.” With a professional relationship with Zafar dating back to 2014, Shaikh highlighted that he had never faced any payment issues with Ali Abbas Zafar. He lauded Zafar and Mehra for their commitment, stating that his dues were cleared from the subsidy obtained from Abu Dhabi, along with wages for the stuntmen, facilitated through the Movie Stunt Artist Association.
Shaikh further lamented about his equipment, which was transported to London for the shoot but is still in the possession of the studio. He expressed concern over the lack of communication regarding the return of his gear. He also mentioned that they had collaborated with Pooja Entertainment on another project titled ‘Eagle’ in India, but they have not yet received payments for worker wages and equipment used.
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Meanwhile, Steven Bernard, a film editor, shared a heart-wrenching narrative regarding his financial struggles amidst a family emergency. Despite continuous follow-ups, he was unable to receive his due payment for over five months after the release of ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’. Bernard pointed out that it was AAZ Films that stood supportive, providing assurances throughout his crisis period. Eventually, his final payment was cleared thanks to the Abu Dhabi subsidy released by AAZ Films.
Reports also emerged indicating that the dues of celebrity choreographer Bosco Martis were cleared using the subsidy in question. In addition, several heads of departments (HODs) and assistants from the film have echoed similar sentiments, taking to social media to support Zafar and recount their experiences working on ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has also stepped into the fray, revealing that Vashu Bhagnani, a prominent figure in Pooja Entertainment, owes substantial amounts to crew members who were part of three different films – ‘Mission Raniganj’, ‘Ganapath’, and ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’. Despite repeated reminders, these dues remain unsettled. FWICE, along with the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) president Ashoke Pandit and FWICE president B.N. Tewari, have begun closely monitoring this issue.
In an interesting twist, Vashu Bhagnani recently accused the OTT platform Netflix of withholding payments owed to Pooja Entertainment. Netflix, however, dismissed these allegations as unfounded.
The controversy surrounding ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ and the financial dealings of Pooja Entertainment continues to unfold, with Ali Abbas Zafar standing firm amid the storm, bolstered by the unwavering support of his crew. The unfolding drama underscores deeper tensions and unresolved financial issues within the industry, highlighting the need for transparent financial practices and ethical professional relationships.
