Vashu Bhagnani-Netflix Row: Producer Breaks Silence On OTT Owing ₹47.37, Says 'Truth Will Come Out'

Vashu Bhagnani has been in the news owing to the legal tussles of the production house Pooja Entertainment. The producer has been accused of not paying over ₹7 crore to Bade Miyan Chote Miyan director Ali Abbas Zafar. On the other hand, he has alleged that the OTT giant Netflix owes them over ₹47 crore. On Friday Economic Offences Wing (EOW) reported that the Netflix authorities of Netflix hasn’t been very cooperative during the investigation. Now, the producer has finally reacted to the ongoing tussle between his production house and Netflix.

Vashu Bhagnani is hopeful that the truth will come out soon

In an interview with IANS, Vashu Bhagnani of Pooja Entertainment said he is optimistic about the positive outcome of his case against the streaming giant Netflix. “I have always believed in doing what's right, and have worked hard to keep my commitments. I trust that the truth will come out and hope for a fair resolution. For decades, we have been dedicated to making films with passion, and I stand by that commitment. I am positive the authorities will help clarify, resolve and bring justice in this matter," he added.

Recently, the senior-level executives of Netflix were summoned by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) with regard to the case, but they did not show up prompting the authorities to state that the streaming giant hasn’t been very cooperative during the investigation.

Senior Inspector Ravindra Avhad, who is handling the case, had earlier said, "This ₹47.37 crore is what Netflix owes Vashu Bhagnani. But Netflix is not cooperating. We sent them two summons, but they didn’t appear. The Bhagnanis came to us in April, gave their statements, and handed over documents. Netflix asked for time but never showed up. They keep sending lower-level staff, but it’s Monica Shergill (Content Head, Netflix India) who should be appearing”.

In April this year, Vashu filed a complaint, saying Netflix along with two companies Los Gatos Production Services India and Zoo Digital India, interfered with three of his films, Hero No 1 (still streaming), Mission Raniganj, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, and said that Netflix owes them money.

Pooja Entertainment has been involved in two separate cases, one where he has levelled allegations against Netflix, and another in which the production house has filed a complaint against director Ali Abbas Zafar, who directed their ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’, a commercial disaster.

All you need to know about a tussle between Ali Abbas Zafar and Poonam Entertainment

Earlier this month, Ali had alleged that the production house had not paid his fees of ₹7.30 crore. Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky Bhagnani countered his allegations by filing a complaint against the director for allegedly syphoning the subsidy funds he took from Abu Dhabi authorities during the shoot of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.

Soon after the news of the production house filing a case against Ali came out, the crew members of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan rallied behind Ali and slammed the producers for being wrong. Several crew members of the film took to their Instagram handles and shared how they weren’t paid during the course of the project. However, Ali had cleared their dues from his own pocket.

-With IANS Inputs-