Ali Abbas Zafar Claims Unpaid Dues of ₹7.3 Crore for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan as Vashu Bhagnani Faces Financial Setbacks
With accusations of unpaid dues piling up, Vashu Bhagnani’s production house is under scrutiny after a string of box office failures, including Bade Miyan Chote Miyan
The much-anticipated Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff starrer Bade Miyan Chote Miyan failed to make an impact at the box office, leaving producer Vashu Bhagnani in a difficult position. Despite its grand budget of ₹350 crore, the film only managed to rake in ₹100 crore, making it a major financial disaster. Unfortunately, Bhagnani’s troubles didn’t end with the movie’s commercial failure. Now, director Ali Abbas Zafar, who helmed the project, has alleged that the producer owes him ₹7.30 crore in unpaid dues.
According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, Zafar has taken his grievance to the Director’s Association, filing a formal complaint against Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment for non-payment. The Director’s Association, in turn, has reached out to the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) for mediation. However, Bhagnani has denied the allegations. In response to a letter from FWICE, Pooja Entertainment issued a statement, saying, “The dues claimed do not constitute a legitimate claim and are subject to various set-offs as advised by BMCM Films Ltd.”
Despite Bhagnani’s denial, FWICE has requested that Zafar present evidence to substantiate his claims. Meanwhile, Zafar has remained silent on the matter, possibly to avoid further complications with his payments.
BN Tiwari, president of FWICE, further disclosed that Pooja Entertainment also owes approximately ₹65 lakhs to crew members from not only Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, but also other recent films produced by Bhagnani, including Mission Raniganj and Ganapath, both of which underperformed at the box office.
Adding to the speculation, there are rumors that Bhagnani was forced to sell his lavish seven-storey Pooja Entertainment office to cover a massive debt of ₹250 crore.
