Producer Vashu Bhagnani and his production house, Pooja Entertainment, are facing serious allegations of non-payment and mistreatment of crew members. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) claims that the company owes over Rs 65 lakh to crew members who worked on the films Mission Raniganj, Ganapath, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.
As per a report in PTI, FWICE President BN Tiwari said that Pooja Entertainment owes Rs 33.13 lakh to Mission Raniganj director Tinu Desai alone. Additionally, the production house allegedly owes Rs 31.78 lakh to over 250 set workers involved in the making of these three films.
Pooja Entertainment Promises To Clear Due By July-End
In a complaint filed on March 19, 2023, with the Indian Film & Television Director’s Association (IFTDA), Desai stated that he worked on Mission Raniganj from February 2022 to its release on October 6, 2023.
As per the contract, he was to receive Rs 4,03,50,000 but has only been paid Rs 3,70,36,092 so far. Despite multiple follow-ups, the outstanding amount of Rs 33.13 lakh remains unpaid.
Tiwari explained, “We have been following up with Pooja Entertainment, but they haven’t made the payment. They have said they will clear the dues by the end of July.”
IFTDA has reportedly written numerous letters to Pooja Entertainment, but the payments have been continually delayed. The production house cited various reasons for the delays, including Jackky Bhagnani’s wedding. Even after promising to settle the dues following the release of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, the payments have not been made.
Many Workers Are Awaiting Payment From Pooja Ent, Are Helpless
Rakesh Maurya, a leader of the Film Studios Setting & Allied Mazdoor Union, stated that approximately 200 to 250 workers are still awaiting payments totalling Rs 31,78,327. These workers, who typically earn between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,400 per day, are owed amounts ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 or more each.
Maurya emphasised the plight of these daily wage workers, saying, “There are three to four categories of workers who construct a set. They usually receive somewhere between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,400 per day. The pending dues of a single worker could range between Rs 10,000 to 20,000 or more.”
FWICE General Secretary Ashok Dubey highlighted the vulnerability of these workers, noting, “The workers are helpless. The artists receive money first, but not our workers. It is heartbreaking to see the condition of the workers in the industry; they don’t have job security. Even when they do get work, they don’t receive their payments on time and have to wait for months.”
FWICE Warns Vashu Bhagnani Of Not Working On Their Future Projects
In response to the allegations, Vashu Bhagnani issued a statement dismissing the claims and urging those who feel owed to come forward and engage in a conversation with Pooja Entertainment.
He questioned the legitimacy of the complaints, asking, “If there are people who claim that we owe them money, they should come forward and talk to us. Do they have a proper contract with Pooja Entertainment? Have they filed a case regarding this? There are so many ways to sort this rather than ranting on social media.”
Despite Bhagnani’s assurances, FWICE has warned that if payments are not made by the end of July, their workers will refuse to work on any future projects under Pooja Entertainment.
(Also read: BMCM Actor Akshay Kumar Was 1st To Call Amid Production House Closure Reports, Reveals Vashu Bhagnani; WATCH)
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