The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has raised serious allegations against veteran Bollywood producer Vashu Bhagnani, claiming that his company, Pooja Entertainment, owes over Rs 65 lakh to crew members who worked on three of his high-profile films: Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. FWICE President BN Tiwari made the announcement on Friday, asserting that the owed amounts pertain to various crew workers, including set workers and the director.
According to Tiwari, Pooja Entertainment owes an amount of Rs 33.13 lakh to Tinu Desai, the director of Mission Raniganj, which starred Bollywood heavyweight Akshay Kumar. Desai’s directorial efforts spanned from February 2022 to October 6, 2023, the film’s release date. The stipulated amount in the director’s contract was Rs 4,03,50,000, of which he has only received Rs 3,70,36,092 so far.
“In March of last year, Desai filed a formal complaint about the non-payment of Rs 33.13 lakh. Despite our continuous follow-ups with Pooja Entertainment, the payment remains unsettled. They initially promised to clear the dues by the end of July,” Tiwari informed PTI. When contacted for his perspective, Desai declined to comment.
Additionally, Pooja Entertainment allegedly owes Rs 31.78 lakh to over 250 set workers involved in Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Tiwari revealed that FWICE and the Indian Film & Television Director’s Association (IFTDA) have written multiple letters to Pooja Entertainment, but the payments remain pending.
Furthermore, Tiwari mentioned that Pooja Entertainment requested additional time to settle the dues, citing Jackky Bhagnani’s wedding as a reason for the delay in an email dated February 20, 2024. The delay persisted even after FWICE sent another reminder in March 2024, with the production house asking for time until the release of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.
“This is patently unfair. They are leading luxurious lives yet fail to pay their dues, making constant excuses. They recently promised the dues would be cleared by the end of July. If that does not happen, our workers will refuse to work on any of their projects,” Tiwari asserted.
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Rakesh Maurya, a union leader of the Film Studios Setting & Allied Mazdoor Union, confirmed that about 200-250 workers are still awaiting payment amounts totaling Rs 31,78,327 from Pooja Entertainment. “Workers who construct sets typically earn between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,400 per day. The pending dues of a single worker could range between Rs 10,000 to 20,000 or more,” Maurya disclosed to PTI.
Maurya added that their union comprises about 48,000 daily wage workers spanning various departments such as set construction, lighting, and spot assistance. FWICE General Secretary Ashok Dubey stated that despite the release of Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, workers’ payments remain in arrears.
“The workers are in a precarious situation. While artists receive their payments promptly, our workers suffer. It is disheartening to witness their plight in the industry. They face job insecurity, and even when they do find work, their payments are delayed for months,” Dubey lamented.
Last week, numerous crew members accused Pooja Entertainment of not only non-payment but also laying off a significant portion of its staff. In response, Vashu Bhagnani issued a media statement asserting that any claimants should engage in dialogue with Pooja Entertainment. “Those who assert that we owe them money should come forward and discuss it with us. Do they have a formal contract? Have they filed any legal cases? There are far better ways to resolve this than airing grievances on social media,” Bhagnani said, dismissing allegations that his production house was closing down.
Dubey emphasized that timely payment is essential and proposed that the industry adopt a rule similar to Marathi cinema, where a censor certificate is withheld if daily wages are not paid. “We want a similar rule in our industry to safeguard workers’ rights,” he stated.
Pooja Entertainment, known for producing hits like Coolie No. 1, Hero No. 1, and Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda’s Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, has seen its recent releases falter at the box office, compounding the current controversy.
As the saga unfolds, the focus remains on whether or not Pooja Entertainment will honor their commitment to settle the outstanding dues by the end of July, as promised.
