250-Crore Disaster: Director’s 7.3 Crore Unpaid!

The troubles for producer Vashu Bhagnani and Pooja Entertainment continue to escalate.

Now, director Ali Abbas Zafar has come forward with allegations that Bhagnani has failed to pay him Rs 7.30 crore for the much-maligned film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, which starred Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff.

Despite a staggering budget of Rs 350 crore, the film managed to gross less than Rs 100 crore at the global box office, leaving the production house and many involved in dire straits.

Ali Abbas Zafar has reportedly filed a complaint with the Directors’ Association, prompting the organization to reach out to the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) for intervention.

In response, Pooja Entertainment denied Ali Zafar’s claims, stating that the dues he mentioned are not legitimate and subject to various offsets, as explained to them by BMCM Films Ltd.

Ali Abbas Zafar has chosen to remain tight-lipped on the issue, fearing that public commentary could further delay his payment.

FWICE president BN Tiwari has further revealed that Pooja Entertainment owes over Rs 65 lakh to crew members across three films: Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.

Vashu Bhagnani reportedly sold the extravagant seven-storeyed Pooja Entertainment office in Mumbai and laid off 80% of his staff to clear a staggering debt of Rs 250 crore.

Ali Abbas Zafar has returned to Yash Raj Films and is expected to direct Pathaan 2 with Shah Rukh Khan.