Akshay Kumar Intervenes In Non-Payment Row Involving Vashu Bhagnani, Asks His Dues Be Put On Hold

Bollywood producer Vashu Bhagnani of Pooja Entertainment has been caught up in non-payment row. According to FWICE, over 250 crew members who worked on movies backed by the production house - Mission Raniganj, Ganapath and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan - are still owed ₹65 lakh in dues for their work. After this, reports surfaced that BMCM stars Alaya F, Tiger Shroff, Sonakshi Sinha and Manushi Chhillar, also remain partially unpaid for the movie, which hit the big screens in early April. Now, reportedly, Akshay Kumar has stepped in to help Vashu.

Jackky Bhagnani talks about Akshay Kumar's intervention    

Vashu Bhagnani's son Jackky Bhagnani reportedly shared in a statement that Akshay Kumar has intervened as asked the stakeholders to put his payment on hold until the crew gets paid in full. Jackky also expressed his gratitude to Akshay for timely stepping in.

The statement according to media reports read, "Akshay sir met me recently to discuss this matter. Upon learning about this situation, Akshay sir didn’t hesitate to step forward and show his support for the crew. He has insisted that his payments be placed on hold until every single crew member working on our projects receive their full and final payment. We are incredibly grateful for Akshay sir’s understanding and his willingness to stand with us during this time. The movie business hinges on strong relationships and that is the spirit we strive to foster in the industry."

Mission Raniganj director's dues not cleared by Pooja Entertainment

Vashu Bhagnani’s company Pooja Entertainment owes ₹33.13 lakh to director Tinu Desai, who helmed their 2023 film, Mission Raniganj. The movie was headlined by Akshay Kumar.

Additionally, the production house owes ₹31.78 lakh to over 250 set workers who worked on movies like Mission Raniganj, Tiger Shroff’s Ganapath (2023), and Akshay Kumar and Shroff’s Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024).

According to FWICE President BN Tiwari, IFTDA has written multiple letters to Pooja Entertainment but they kept delaying the payment. “In February they sought time to pay citing Jackky Bhagnani’s wedding via an email dated February 20, 2024 to IFTDA and later they didn’t reply. After FWICE wrote them a letter in March 2024, they again sought time to make the payment saying they would do so after the release of their film, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, again that has not happened,” Tiwari said.

There are reports that non-payment issues and back-to-back flops have not deterred Pooja Entertainment as they are looking for their next project to invest in.