Vashu Bhagnani, a prominent Bollywood producer, has filed a case against Netflix India, accusing the streaming giant of withholding a significant amount of money. Bhagnani claims that Netflix India has yet to pay Rs 47.37 crore, leading him to allege “cheating” and conspiracy against his production house, Pooja Entertainment. This legal action comes amid other controversies surrounding Bhagnani’s films and unpaid dues.
Dispute Over Three Major Films
Bhagnani’s allegations against Netflix revolve around the rights to three major films produced by his company:
- Hero No 1
- Mission Raniganj
- Bade Miyan Chote Miyan
In an interview with The Economic Times, Bhagnani claimed that Netflix India and its local content investment arm, Los Gatos Production Services India, have conspired against his rights over these films. Bhagnani’s case also involves Zoo Digital India and various executives from both companies. As a result of the complaint, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has summoned top executives from Los Gatos Production Services India to address the matter.
Ongoing Controversies Surrounding Bhagnani
This legal battle with Netflix India is not the first time Bhagnani has been embroiled in controversy this year. Following the release of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, the film’s crew and its director, Ali Abbas Zafar, accused Bhagnani of non-payment. Ali Abbas Zafar alleged that Bhagnani failed to pay him a Rs 7.30 crore fee for directing the film. Bhagnani, along with his son Jackky Bhagnani, responded by filing their own legal case against Zafar.
In their complaint, the Bhagnanis accused Zafar of committing financial fraud during the film’s production in Abu Dhabi. They alleged that Zafar had misappropriated Rs 9.50 crore in subsidy funds, which were obtained from Abu Dhabi’s authorities. The Bhagnanis claimed that the director had routed the money through a shell company, and they charged him with multiple offenses, including coercion, criminal breach of trust, extortion, and money laundering.
Previous Non-Payment Allegations
Bhagnani’s financial troubles have not been limited to his issues with Netflix India. Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) President BN Tiwari revealed that Bhagnani owes significant payments to several filmmakers and workers involved in his productions. According to a June 2024 report, Bhagnani owes Rs 33.13 lakh to Mission Raniganj director Tinu Suresh Desai. Desai had received part of his payment but is still awaiting the balance of Rs 33.13 lakh from Pooja Entertainment.
Additionally, it was reported that Bhagnani owes Rs 31.78 lakh to about 250 workers who were involved in the production of Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Despite repeated efforts by the federation to resolve the payment issues, the dues remain unsettled.
Legal Action Against Netflix and Impact on Future Projects
The case Bhagnani has filed against Netflix India further complicates his ongoing financial and legal challenges. The accusations against Netflix, if proven, could have broader implications for the platform’s content deals with other producers in the Indian market. Bhagnani’s legal team is pushing for compensation, while Netflix India has yet to release an official statement regarding the allegations.
This controversy surrounding Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and other films adds pressure to Bhagnani’s position in the industry. Given the ongoing non-payment claims and the involvement of multiple parties, it remains to be seen how these legal battles will affect Bhagnani’s production house, its future projects, and his reputation in Bollywood.
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