DNA (April 3, 2018)

On April 1, John Abraham’s company, JA Entertainment Pvt Ltd, issued a public notice terminating their partnership with Prernaa Arora’s KriArj Entertainment over their film Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran.

FLASHBACK
A source says, “Three years ago, Prernaa wanted to make Parmanu, based on the nuclear tests conducted by the Indian Army at Pokhran (in 1998), with Akshay Kumar. However, the Bollywood superstar was already committed to other projects. So, he didn’t show interest. Around this time, Prernaa and her partner, Arjun N Kapoor, met John Abraham and finalised the deal with him. John not only agreed to play the lead actor in the film but also to line-produce it for KriArj. Prernaa reportedly paid him Rs 30 cr against a mutually agreed upon Rs 35 cr budget. Out of this, Rs 10 cr was meant to be John’s remuneration and the rest was the cost of production. In other words, John would deliver a complete product to KriArj by an agreed date, which both parties would then promote and release.”

FRICTION BEGINS
Differences between the two parties started last December when the movie’s release was postponed. It was around the same time when Padmaavat was supposed to open in cinemas. The producers felt Parmanu needed love and nurturing. They realised their film was better off releasing later rather than clashing with the period drama. It was then that things started going downhill.

PARI-PARMANU CLASH AVERTED
At one point, John wanted the movie to release on March 2, on which date Anushka Sharma’s Pari was also hitting the screens. However, this, too, was averted because KriArj was partnering on both the films. It would be unwise for a producer to bring out his/her two projects on the same date and kill the prospects of both.

THE APRIL FIGHT
While a lot of behind-the-scenes shenanigans took place, one hears that Prernaa was looking to find a way forward when she woke up to the public notice that was served to her firm on April 1. Her company was told that the arrangement between JA Entertainment Pvt Ltd and KriArj stood terminated. John’s spokesperson said, “This is with reference to the Public Notice issued by us (copy attached) regarding the termination of our agreement with KriArj Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. for our film Parmanu and their unsubstantiated response to it circulated in some sections of the media.

We would like to state the following facts:
Termination of the agreement by us is valid and legal. KriArj has committed material breaches, which left us with no choice but to terminate in the interest of the film. We would like to state that this extreme step has been taken by us after days of trying to resolve the issues at hand in the best interest of the release of the film. We have fulfilled our commitment at every stage of this project and intimated KriArj in writing from time to time. We have been waiting and asking for payments at every stage, our payments have either been delayed or we have received wrong UTR number. Cheque payments have been stopped time and again.

Delay in payments/non-payments have caused delays in the post-production work after the film’s principal shoot was completed by us in time and on schedule last year. Despite repeated follow-up, the distribution plan for the film has not been shared and there has been no transparency in their dealings with third parties. We have till date not been privy to any signed contracts of third parties with KriArj, if any.

JA Entertainment has time and again discussed the marketing campaign for the film with KriArj, but the release dates have been pushed at least thrice due to delayed payments. Not only that, KriArj without our approval has gone out and made statements giving false reasons for the delay. Our repeated follow-ups have only been met with false promises to settle the issue, thus wasting crucial time on the project. The industry knows about KriArj’s track record. There has been a similar incident in the past with another film where they have done the same thing.

Given the above, and in the best interest of the film, we have terminated our contract with KriArj Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and will soon announce the release schedule. Any future attempts by KriArj to jeopardise the film or defame the production house and/or the film, like they have done in the past with other films, will compel us to initiate legal proceedings against them.

We request you for your continued support to us and the film and for you to use this statement in its entirety. May we also request you to kindly refrain from any conjecture-based stories or putting out unverified facts on this matter.”

PRERNAA’S SIDE OF THE STORY
When After Hrs contacted Prernaa, she said, “John and I were partners on the project. I have paid him Rs 30 crores already. What’s left is Rs 2 crores against his remuneration and Rs 3 crores that I’m committed to pay 15 days before the release, when I get the film’s final delivery from the lab. However, there is no final product. Both John and I are 50 per cent partners in the IPR (Intellectual Property Rights). However, he has not delivered a film to me on the date committed, so I’m stuck. I have nothing to show for the money spent so far.”

Stating that the actor-producer didn’t keep his part of the commitment, and calling his termination illegal, Prernaa said, “JA Entertainment kept making unreasonable demands for money, which were outside the scope of their initial understanding with us. I’m shocked that they are trying to wriggle out of a legally-binding contract.”

She summed it up saying, “As far as his remuneration goes, I have no shame in saying that I have paid him Rs 10 crores against the Rs 12 crores that I was committed to pay. I requested him for a Rs 2 crore discount on his fees or offered him the choice of taking that after the release. All big stars understand a producer’s predicament and adjust. However, he is not co-operating. After all, we are partners and he is aware of the market. My good intentions stand defeated.”

Meanwhile, John said, “I just want the best for my film. I don’t want my baby (Parmanu) to suffer. It has been made with a lot of love and has turned out beautifully.”