The Indian film industry finds itself embroiled in controversy again, this time surrounding the movie “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.” Despite the film’s significant box office failure, it is back in the limelight—not for its content, but for serious allegations involving non-payment and delays in dues to the crew by the film’s production house, Pooja Entertainment. Leading the support for Vashu Bhagnani, head of Pooja Entertainment, is veteran producer Ramesh Taurani, who attributes the controversy to a misunderstanding.
In a recent conversation with the Indian Express, Taurani voiced his unwavering support for Bhagnani. “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,” said Taurani.
Ramesh Taurani’s remarks come at a crucial time when Vashu Bhagnani’s name is under scrutiny, not just from the media but also from industry insiders. The controversy escalated when Ali Abbas Zafar, the director of “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” and several crew members publicly accused Pooja Entertainment of non-payment and delaying their dues. Despite these serious claims, Taurani remains confident that Bhagnani will resolve the matter judiciously and restore his reputation.
Adding fuel to the fire, actor Ronit Roy recently opened up about his own struggles related to the film. “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,” Roy stated in an interview. He expressed his relief that his dues and those of his staff were finally cleared, although only after considerable delay, thanks to Mehra’s intervention.
This dispute has not gone unnoticed by industry bodies. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has revealed that Bhagnani’s production house owes significant sums to many who worked on “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” along with two other films—’Mission Raniganj’ and ‘Ganapath.’ Both FWICE President B.
.N. Tewari and IFTDA President Ashoke Pandit are currently monitoring the situation closely, underscoring the gravity of this conflict.
Earlier, Vashu Bhagnani had also accused OTT giant Netflix of not clearing their dues related to his projects. However, a spokesperson from Netflix deemed these claims unfounded, further complicating the financial tangle surrounding Bhagnani.
The news has sparked a debate within the industry, with some defending Bhagnani and others criticizing him. Taurani’s support for Bhagnani aims to mitigate the backlash, emphasizing the producer’s long-standing reputation and suggesting a resolution is near. “He’s been around since 1995,” pointed out Taurani, highlighting Bhagnani’s established presence in the industry over the years.
Ronit Roy’s heartfelt acknowledgment of Himanshu Mehra’s assistance has added another layer of complexity to the narrative. His staff and security company faced significant delays, and it paints a picture of the financial disarray within the production house. His appreciation for Mehra’s intervention brings a semblance of human decency amidst the larger controversy.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) stepping in signifies the importance of resolving these financial disputes publically and equitably. The film industry’s ecosystem relies heavily on trust and professionalism; breaches in payment agreements can erode this fundamental trust, impacting future collaborations.
With accusations flying in multiple directions—from crew members to industry bodies to major streaming platforms like Netflix—an overarching resolution remains to be seen. Taurani’s confidence in Bhagnani’s integrity offers some solace but also increases pressure on the producer to swiftly address the allegations.
The ongoing issues with “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” serve as a reminder of the intrinsic vulnerabilities within the film industry, especially related to financial dealings. As the situation continues to develop, all eyes remain on Vashu Bhagnani to see how he navigates through the controversies and manages to mend his, and his production house’s, tarnished reputation.
In conclusion, while Ramesh Taurani’s words of support provide some hope, the controversy surrounding “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” and Pooja Entertainment underscores significant challenges. The coming days will be crucial in determining how this financial conflict unfolds and resolves, shaping the future dynamics of industry dealings.
