New Delhi: Filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar has found himself in legal trouble. Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky Bhagnani of Pooja Entertainment have filed a complaint against filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar for allegedly siphoning the subsidy funds he took from Abu Dhabi authorities during the shoot of 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan'.
How it all began
Reportedly, the director is likely to be summoned by the Bandra Police in Mumbai soon. In their complaints, filed on Sep 3, the Bhagnanis alleged fraud of Rs. 9.50 cr by Ali Abbas Zafar and accused him of "coercion, criminal breach of trust, extortion, blackmailing, criminal intimidation, harassment, criminal defamation and money laundering”.
The complaint further alleged that Zafar used these funds via a shell company in Abu Dhabi. Earlier today, it was also reported that Ali Abbas Zafar accused Bhagnanis of not paying him Rs. 7.30 cr, his fee for directing 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan'.
As per a Dainik Bhasker report, Zafar filed an official complaint with the Directors’ Association, asking for their intervention. Following the complaint, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) also sent a letter to Vashu Bhagnani, seeking an explanation for the unpaid dues.
However, Pooja Entertaiment denied the said claims and issued a statement that said, "The dues claimed do not constitute a legitimate claim and are liable to various set-offs, as informed to us by BMCM Films Ltd.”
Later, FWICE also asked Ali Abbas Zafar to submit proof of his unpaid dues claim.
Meanwhile, 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' starred Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff in the lead. The film released in April this year and bombed at the box office. The film is a remake of David Dhawan's film of the same name which starred Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda in the lead. The OG film released in 1998 and was a huge blockbuster.
On the other hand, despite being mounted on a huge budget, Akshay Kumar's 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' could not do its magic at the box office.