Director Ali Abbas Zafar slams producer Vashu Bhagnani over unpaid Rs 7.30 Crore fee for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan

The film featured Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff in leading roles and was produced on an impressive budget of Rs 350 crore.

Producer Vashu Bhagnani and his Pooja Entertainment continue to face challenges. Following allegations of unpaid dues to crew members on his films, director Ali Abbas Zafar has now accused Bhagnani of failing to pay him Rs 7.30 crore for the year's major flop, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.

The film featured Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff in leading roles and was produced on an impressive budget of Rs 350 crore. However, it only grossed around Rs 100 crore at the box office, leaving the production house and everyone involved with the film in a difficult position.

According to Dainik Bhaskar, Zafar has lodged a complaint with the Directors' Association against Pooja Entertainment for the non-payment of Rs 7.30 crore. On July 31, 2024, the Directors' Association reached out to the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) regarding the complaint and requested their intervention.

When FWICE later sent a letter to Bhagnani seeking an explanation regarding Zafar's claims, Pooja Entertainment denied the director's allegations, stating that, ""The dues claimed do not constitute a legitimate claim and are subject to various set-offs, as communicated to us by BMCM Films Ltd."

FWICE has asked Zafar to provide evidence to back up his claims of unpaid dues. In the meantime, the director has chosen to refrain from making any public comments, as reports indicate he wishes to avoid media attention for fear it might further delay his payment.

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According to previous reports, Bhagnani had sold the opulent seven-story Pooja Entertainment office in Mumbai to settle debts totaling Rs 250 crore. Additionally, the production house reportedly laid off 80 percent of its staff.

Earlier, FWICE president BN Tiwari stated that Pooja Entertainment owes more than Rs 65 lakh to crew members across three films: Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.