Jackky Bhagnani and his father, Vashu Bhagnani, who own Pooja Entertainment, have filed a serious complaint against filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar. They have accused Zafar of misusing Rs 9.50 crore during the making of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, a movie that was released in April 2024. The complaint was filed on September 3, and Zafar may soon be called for questioning by the Bandra Police in Mumbai.
Vashu Bhagnanis Sue Ali Zafar
According to the Bhagnanis, Zafar took subsidy funds from authorities in Abu Dhabi, where the film was shot, and wrongfully used the money through a shell company. The charges against Zafar include coercion, criminal breach of trust, extortion, blackmail, money laundering, and harassment.
Read also:- Chiranjeevi Honored with Guinness World Record for Most Prolific Indian Film Star
In response, Ali Abbas Zafar has filed his own complaint, claiming that the Bhagnanis have not paid him Rs 7.30 crore, which was his fee for directing the film. He has taken the matter to the Directors’ Association, requesting them to step in and resolve the issue. The Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) has also written to Vashu Bhagnani, asking for an explanation regarding the unpaid dues.
Pooja Entertainment, however, has denied Zafar’s claims, stating that his demands are not legitimate and that various set-offs have already been communicated to him. FWICE has also asked Zafar to provide proof to support his claim of unpaid fees.
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, a remake of the 1998 hit starring Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda, featured Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff in the lead roles. However, the film failed to impress both the audience and critics when it was released in April. This controversy adds to the struggles of Ali Abbas Zafar, who has not delivered a major success since going independent from Yash Raj Films (YRF).
