Vashu Bhagnani & Jackky Bhagnani File A Complaint on Ali Abbas Zafar

Vashu Bhagnani vs. Ali Abbas Zafar:

A couple of days back, we reported about director Ali Abbas Zafar filing a case against producers Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky Bhagnani for not paying his fees for the film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, and now the producers have filed a return complaint against the director for misusing their funds during the filming.

The complaint filed by Bhagnanis is about 17 pages long and consists of 53 points, describing how Zafar and his partner misused their money and entrapped them. As per the complaint, the team collectively decided to mount the film on Rs 125 crore, excluding remuneration of the director and the cast members of the film (Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Manushi Chhillar, Alaya F, and Prithviraj Sukumaran). However, Zafar took control over systematic operations and went overboard by Rs. 6 crores without the producers consent, says the complaint.

Reportedly, Vashu Bhagnani also wanted to add Madhuri Dixit in the role of a police officer, but Ali Abbas Zafar declined their suggestions. As Zafar's control overtook their suggestions and creative liberties, the film went over budget by Rs. 15 crore without any knowledge.

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“It is reiterated that the initial estimate was of INR 125 crore, which increased to and was locked at Rs 154 crore, i.e., as approved and undertaken by the complainant (Bhagnani). The UAE leg was completed and solely controlled by the accused (Zafar), which was supposed to have been completed at Rs 23 crore plus a fixed cost of Rs 8-10 crores (total of Rs 33 crores). However, the same was exceeded by Rs 6 crores. The complainant was not provided periodic updates and accounts as assured, and therefore, it is evident that there has been major siphoning of funds and mismanagement at the behest of the accused. On 11th May, 2024, the complainant also reminded the accused that he had only approved Rs 20 crore on the marketing front, which was later increased by a few crores at the behest of the accused. The accused was asked as to who was going to pay for that. The accused did not, however, respond to the same. Since it had been a month since release, the complainant also offered to keep settlement meetings at their office to help settle everybody and to figure out the balance OB (over budget) since 90% production control was with the accused still, despite steep OB expenses continuing to fall on the complainant without their free consent. The complainant sought the exact OB with details from the accused but to no avail,” reads the complaint in a brief.

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