Vashu Bhagnani and Puja Entertainment are back in the industry spotlight, with a fresh financial dispute now circling three major Hindi releases. The development follows Bhagnani’s recent legal action over the alleged unauthorised use of Biwi No. 1 songs Chunari Chunari and Ishq Sona Hai in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.
Box Office Worldwide has exclusively learned that PVR Inox Pictures is likely to consider legal proceedings over alleged dues linked to Mission Raniganj, Ganapath and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.
Pvr Inox Pictures Weighs Legal Action
A source familiar with the matter said, “PVR Inox Ltd, which also has a distribution arm PVR Inox Pictures, had entered into a three-film arrangement with Vashu Bhagnani’s production house, Puja Entertainment. As part of the understanding, PVR Inox Pictures had reportedly paid around Rs. 100 crores as a refundable advance to Puja Entertainment and agreed to release Mission Raniganj, Ganapath and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. The understanding was that if the films failed to generate the expected results, Puja Entertainment would refund the outstanding balance.”
The source continued, “However, all three films failed to meet box office expectations, folding around Rs. 100 cr. at the India box office. Following this, PVR Inox Pictures is said to have made repeated follow-ups for recovery of the alleged outstanding amount. As per unofficial industry sources, the amount due is believed to be in the range of around Rs. 50 crores, though this figure could not be independently verified. Despite repeated follow-ups, the recovery efforts apparently did not yield any positive or impactful result.”
Settlement Talks Remain Unresolved
With recovery efforts not leading to closure, the matter may move toward formal escalation. The source added, “The matter has not yet reached court, but given that the follow-ups have not led to any meaningful recovery, PVR Inox Pictures is likely to take the legal route if a settlement is not reached soon.”
A property linked proposal was also discussed during attempts to resolve the issue. The source revealed, “The Bhagnanis have said to have offered around two to three flats in Mumbai in lieu of the alleged dues. However, the proposal has apparently not resolved the issue. The value of the flats, even if considered, is believed to fall short of the total claim, especially once the interest due over the principal amount is taken into account.”
The source further added, “The issue is no longer only about the principal amount. The interest component has also become significant. Hence, even a property based settlement may not fully cover the alleged dues unless both sides arrive at a revised understanding.”
The Three Films At The Centre Of The Deal
Mission Raniganj, directed by Tinu Suresh Desai and starring Akshay Kumar with Parineeti Chopra, released in 2023 as a disaster thriller produced by Pooja Entertainment and AK Productions. Ganapath, starring Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon, released in 2023 as a futuristic action film from Pooja Entertainment. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and produced by Pooja Entertainment with AAZ Films, released in 2024 with Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manushi Chhillar, Alaya F and Sonakshi Sinha.
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