Vashu Bhagnani
Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky Bhagnani of Pooja Entertainment have filed a serious complaint against filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar, accusing him of misusing subsidy funds obtained from Abu Dhabi authorities during the production of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. According to reports, the complaint, filed on September 3, alleges that Zafar siphoned ₹9.50 crore through a shell company in Abu Dhabi. The Bandra Police in Mumbai is expected to summon Zafar soon for questioning.
Vashu Bhagnani Allegations–
In their complaint, the Bhagnanis accused Zafar of various charges, including fraud, criminal breach of trust, extortion, blackmail, money laundering, and harassment. The Bhagnanis claim that Zafar misappropriated funds meant for the production of the film.
In a twist, Ali Abbas Zafar has also lodged a complaint against the Bhagnanis, accusing them of failing to pay him his ₹7.30 crore directing fee for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Zafar reportedly approached the Directors’ Association to intervene, and the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) has since sent a letter to Vashu Bhagnani seeking clarification on the unpaid dues.
In response to Zafar’s claims, Pooja Entertainment issued a statement denying the allegations, stating, “The dues claimed do not constitute a legitimate claim and are liable to various set-offs, as informed to us by BMCM Films Ltd.” FWICE has also asked Zafar to provide proof of his claims.
The original Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, directed by David Dhawan, was a hit in 1998, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda. The 2024 remake, featuring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, was released in April but failed to impress both critics and audiences. Despite being a major project, it has been embroiled in legal and financial controversies since its release.
