In a dramatic turn of events, filmmaker Vashu Bhagnani has accused director Ali Abbas Zafar of misappropriation of funds and criminal conspiracy during the production of the much-anticipated film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Vashu Bhagnani, through a detailed 17-page police complaint, outlined the production issues, alleging that Zafar and his business partners systematically hijacked the project and led to significant financial mismanagement.
The complaint, filed after Ali Abbas Zafar and Mission Raniganj director Tinu Desai accused Vashu Bhagnani of non-payment of dues, paints a troubling picture of the production process. According to Bhagnani, the film’s production was initially budgeted ₹125 crore (excluding the lead cast and Zafar’s fees). However, Ali Abbas Zafar allegedly began operating in an “opaque manner,” withholding critical information from Pooja Entertainment, the Bhagnanis’ production house.
Vashu Bhagnani’s accusations go beyond mere budget overruns. He claims Ali Abbas Zafar demanded control of the film’s production despite being hired on a contractual basis. The situation escalated when Ali Abbas Zafar allegedly began making decisions without consulting the producers. According to the complaint, Zafar rejected creative suggestions, including a proposal to cast Madhuri Dixit in a significant role to enhance the film’s appeal.
The production’s costs spiralled out of control, with Vashu Bhagnani claiming that expenses surpassed the original budget by ₹15 crores. The UAE leg of the shoot alone reportedly exceeded the budget by ₹6 crore. Bhagnani alleges that the producers were kept in the dark about these overages and periodic financial updates were withheld, leading to suspicions of fund siphoning.
Bhagnani further claims that the marketing budget, initially capped at ₹20 crore, was increased without his approval. Despite repeated attempts to resolve these issues, Zafar allegedly failed to provide detailed accounts or engage in settlement discussions.
This accusation comes amidst broader concerns regarding Pooja Entertainment’s financial practices, with several actors and crew members from various projects alleging non-payment of dues. The controversy surrounding Bade Miyan Chote Miyan has cast a shadow over the film’s production, raising questions about transparency and accountability in Bollywood’s big-budget projects.
