Amid the growing controversy surrounding the film ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’, producer Ramesh Taurani has emerged in staunch support of fellow producer Vashu Bhagnani. Taurani, addressing the numerous allegations against Bhagnani’s production house, Pooja Entertainment, labeled the issue a mere ‘misunderstanding,’ emphasizing Bhagnani’s longstanding reputation in the industry.
The film, ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’, which did not fare well at the box office, has recently come under fire again. This time, the critique centers around accusations of non-payment and delayed payments to several crew members, including the film’s director, Ali Abbas Zafar. Zafar, along with other crew members, has voiced concerns over financial irregularities allegedly orchestrated by Bhagnani’s production house.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Taurani vouched for Bhagnani’s character, underscoring his credibility and history in the film industry. “Whatever happened will be cleared up and they will move forward. I don’t think he’s the kind of producer who would do something like this. He’s been around since 1995. I have never heard of him doing something like this with anyone’s money before. I think it’s a misunderstanding, and they’ll make sure it’s sorted out,” Taurani remarked.
The allegations have sparked significant debate within Bollywood, and other industry figures have also weighed in. Actor Ronit Roy, who worked on ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’, recently affirmed the team’s grievances against Pooja Entertainment. Roy disclosed that while he was fortunate to have received a significant portion of his acting fees, it was only due to the intervention of Himanshu Mehra, a crucial figure within the production.
“I’m lucky to have got a large part of my acting fees for my work on ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’. The money was supposed to come from Vashu Bhagnani and it came from Vashu Bhagnani, but that happened only after Himanshu Mehra intervened. And when it came to the dues of my staff and my security company that guarded the sets in Mumbai, it was all very much delayed and we got that also due to Himanshu Mehra,” Ronit Roy revealed during an interview.
Adding to the mounting pressure on Bhagnani, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) reported that Pooja Entertainment owes substantial sums to crew members who worked on three of their projects – ‘Mission Raniganj’, ‘Ganapath’, and ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’.
. Despite repeated reminders, the Federation claims the dues remain unpaid, and the matter is under close scrutiny by IFTDA President Ashoke Pandit and FWICE President B.N. Tewari.
The controversy also extends to previous accusations leveled by Bhagnani himself against the OTT platform, Netflix. Bhagnani has accused the streaming giant of withholding payments, a claim that Netflix has firmly denied, labeling the allegations as baseless.
Bhagnani’s production house, Pooja Entertainment, has faced a flurry of criticism and intense media scrutiny since these financial disputes came to light. However, Ramesh Taurani’s defense highlights a narrative of potential miscommunication rather than intent to dodge payments. Taurani’s support is rooted in Bhagnani’s extensive and reputable career, which dates back to the mid-1990s when he first made his mark in the Bollywood industry.
Taurani’s endorsement and calls for patience suggest an internal resolution might be on the horizon. He insists that “Whatever happened will be cleared up and they will move forward,” expressing confidence in Bhagnani’s ability to rectify the situation swiftly.
Nevertheless, the industry remains on edge, awaiting a more concrete resolution. Bhagnani’s response and subsequent actions will indeed be pivotal. As more voices from the industry contribute to the discussion, the true nature of the controversy might soon become clear, and the production house’s commitment to its financial obligations will be tested.
In the backdrop of this controversy, ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ continues to be a talking point, not for its box office performance but for the unfolding drama behind the scenes. The broader implications for Pooja Entertainment hinge on resolving these disputes and restoring its reputation among industry stalwarts and crew members alike.
This saga underscores the importance of transparency and timely financial dealings in the film industry, serving as a critical reminder for production houses and filmmakers about the potential repercussions of fiscal mismanagement. With influential figures like Taurani stepping up in defense, the resolution of this high-profile dispute remains a matter of substantial interest to both the Bollywood industry and its avid followers.
