At the 2024 International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, actor Rakul Preet Singh made headlines after she walked away from an interview when asked about her father-in-law, producer Vashu Bhagnani. The incident occurred on the green carpet, where Rakul Preet was addressing questions about her upcoming projects and the entertainment industry.
Rakul Preet’s Interview at IIFA
Rakul Preet, who attended IIFA in a striking green bodycon dress, was speaking with the media about her ongoing projects. When asked about the shooting progress for De De Pyaar De 2, she responded with a smile, saying, “Very good.” However, the mood quickly shifted when a reporter inquired about Vashu Bhagnani and the recent allegations of non-payment of dues against him. At that point, Rakul Preet stopped smiling, apologized, and promptly walked away from the media interaction.
Allegations Against Vashu Bhagnani
For several months, Vashu Bhagnani, a well-known Bollywood producer, and his production house, Pooja Entertainment, have been under scrutiny due to accusations of unpaid dues. According to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), Bhagnani owes over ₹65 lakh to crew members who worked on his films Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.
FWICE President’s Statement
BN Tiwari, president of FWICE, previously revealed details about the pending payments. The first complaint came from director Tinu Desai, who is owed ₹33 lakhs for his work on Mission Raniganj. Bhagnani reportedly asked for additional time to settle the payments, and while some payments were made after a month, Desai’s dues remain unpaid.
In addition to Desai, director Ali Abbas Zafar has also lodged complaints, stating he has not received his ₹7.5 crore fee for directing Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. BN Tiwari mentioned other pending payments, including ₹2.5 crores owed to Ganapath director Vikas Bahl.
Vashu Bhagnani’s Production Legacy
Vashu Bhagnani has been a prominent producer in Bollywood, known for producing popular films like Coolie No 1, Hero No 1, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, and more. His production company has also backed recent projects like Sarbjit, Welcome To New York, and Bell Bottom. However, the ongoing payment disputes have cast a shadow over his contributions to the industry.
Conclusion
As the allegations against Vashu Bhagnani continue to surface, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. Meanwhile, Rakul Preet Singh’s decision to avoid commenting on the matter at IIFA has sparked further curiosity. For now, Bhagnani’s production house Pooja Entertainment will need to address the growing concerns over unpaid dues and restore trust with its collaborators.
Sources By Agencies
