Producers Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky Bhagnani, the driving forces behind Pooja Entertainment, have filed a formal complaint against director Ali Abbas Zafar for allegedly siphoning off subsidy funds received during the shooting of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. According to reports, the funds were provided by the Abu Dhabi authorities, and the Bhagnanis accused Zafar of misappropriating them. The complaint was lodged on September 3, 2024, at the Bandra Police Station. Following the filing, the police are expected to summon Zafar for questioning.

The controversy comes at a time when Pooja Entertainment has been facing multiple challenges. The non-payment of dues to various crew members of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan had already stirred up public discourse. The Bhagnanis are now embroiled in yet another financial dispute, this time with Zafar.

The film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, was one of the year’s most anticipated releases. With a massive budget of Rs 350 crore, the movie underperformed significantly, grossing only Rs 100 crore at the box office. Criticized by both audiences and critics, the film's failure has further intensified tensions between the production team and the director.

 
 
 
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Adding fuel to the fire, Zafar has publicly accused Vashu Bhagnani of failing to pay him Rs 7.30 crore for his directorial work on Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. According to Zafar, the unpaid dues are a result of the film’s financial struggles. On July 31, 2024, Zafar lodged a complaint with the Directors’ Association, which subsequently escalated the issue to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) for intervention. FWICE has requested Zafar to provide proof of the unpaid amount while Pooja Entertainment continues to deny any legitimate claims.

The production house has faced mounting financial challenges, including allegations of unpaid dues to crew members on other films such as Mission Raniganj and Ganapath. Reports also suggest that Pooja Entertainment had to sell its seven-story office in Mumbai to settle debts amounting to Rs 250 crore, while also laying off 80 per cent of its staff.

Also Read: Ali Abbas Zafar Files Complaint Against Vashu Bhagnani For Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Unpaid Dues | Details Inside