Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; January 26, 2015)

If sources are to be believed, a few technicians involved with Subhash Ghai’s last project, Kaanchi, have not been paid. The film released in April last year and tanked at the box office. Among those awaiting payment is Gulab Rao, who provided the special effects machines.

Kaanchi had quite a few wind and rain sequences for which the machines were used. A major portion of the film was shot in Film City Studios here.

The technician says he met Ghai and his managers twice but to no avail. Rao adds, “They used the machines for over a month and owe me around Rs 1.5 lakh. Every time I ask them for the payment, they say it is being delayed as the film didn’t do well and they suffered losses. I have stopped asking them only because I am tired of pursuing it for so long.” A source states a couple of other technicians who provided their services for the film have also not been paid.

Ghai says, “All the prime artistes and technicians have been paid. The only bills in question must be pending due to company procedure. What’s the big deal about it?”