In a recent development within the Indian film industry, it has been reported that Jackky Bhagnani and Vashu Bhagnani’s celebrated production house, Pooja Entertainment, has been compelled to sell their Mumbai office to compensate for a staggering Rs 250 crore debt. The unexpected move comes on the heels of numerous complaints from employees about unpaid dues, casting a spotlight on the financial turmoil wracking the company.
Reports reveal that the seven-story office building has been acquired by a prominent builder who plans to tear it down and design a high-end residential project in its place. This drastic decision is believed to be a consequence of a series of box office failures that have haunted Pooja Entertainment over recent years.
To provide some context, the production house has seen a substantial decline in fortune due to consecutive film flops. Their latest venture, ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,’ featuring big names like Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, grossed only Rs 59.17 crore, far below its extravagant budget of Rs 350 crore. This dismal performance only added to the financial woes of the company, intensifying the need for urgent corrective action.
The crisis within Pooja Entertainment came to public attention when Ruchita Kamble, a disgruntled crew member, took to Instagram to recount the ordeal faced by the production team. Her revelations included screenshots of complaints from other affected individuals, showcasing a disturbing pattern of unfulfilled monetary commitments.
Kamble’s post was poignant and striking. She said, “Not the one to ever make such posts but sometimes people need to be ousted! Seeing my team and the crew I worked with struggle day in and out to just get hold of our own hard-earned money has compelled me to make this post.” She further highlighted the frustration experienced by her colleagues, who had diligently worked only to face unprofessional and unethical treatment from the production house.
“Being dodged from one person to another just to ask for our own money which was promised to be cleared within 45-60 working days post completion is unprofessional. However, the crew graciously agreed as we are a bunch driven by passion for filmmaking.
. But to exploit this passion to such an extent should not be acceptable. There is no hope of getting paid but this post is to make countless others aware of these fraudulent practices by @pooja_ent @jackkybhagnani @vashubhagnani and vouch not to work with them,” Kamble concluded sharply.
Compounding the production house’s troubles is the fact that their operational scale has significantly reduced. Bollywood Hungama reported that senior Bhagnani had to terminate roughly 80 percent of the workforce as a cost-saving measure, relocating the company’s base to a modest two-bedroom flat in Juhu. This downsizing follows a series of financially detrimental releases, beginning with ‘Bell Bottom’ which hit theaters post-COVID-19 pandemic, followed by ‘Mission Raniganj’ and ‘Ganapath.’
Bollywood pundits point to the post-pandemic era as a particularly challenging period for Pooja Entertainment, with audience tastes shifting dramatically. However, the ultimate blow came with the underwhelming performance of ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,’ which not only drained resources but also dented the production house’s reputation and financial stability.
As the company grapples with its present difficulties, there is some hope on the horizon. ‘Ashwatthama,’ an ambitious project starring Shahid Kapoor, was recently announced as part of Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming slate. While this project could potentially resurrect the tarnished brand image of Pooja Entertainment, industry experts remain cautious about its prospects.
Nevertheless, the sale of the Mumbai office stands as a stark reminder of the volatility of the film business, where massive investments don’t necessarily guarantee commercial success. The fallout from Pooja Entertainment’s recent losses underscores the critical importance of financial prudence, even when passion for cinema runs high.
The revelation of Pooja Entertainment’s financial woes and the adverse impact on its employees has sparked conversations across the industry, with many calling for improved practices to safeguard the interests of creative professionals in the future. As the industry watches closely, it remains to be seen how Pooja Entertainment will navigate these turbulent waters and if they can restore both their financial health and professional credibility.
