The upcoming web series Showstoppers, starring Zeenat Aman, Shweta Tiwari and Digangana Suryavanshi, is in the middle of a controversy for non-payment issues against director-producer Manish Harishankar. We’ve learnt from multiple sources that other than Aman, no other members of the cast and crew members has been paid in full.

“Only a percentage of the actors’ and support staff’s fee was paid by the producer. Besides actors, many crew members have complained,” a source tells us, adding, “The show has gone on halt mode, and the last episode hasn’t been shot yet, so we don’t know how post-production will happen. None of the investors have seen their money return as the show still has not been picked by any OTT platforms. It is likely to get shelved only.”

Confirming on record that he hasn’t got his payments, Krishan Parmar, the official stylist on board tells us, “I was roped in for Digangana’s styling with a per day assured sum. Shweta’s personal stylist also hasn’t been paid; I talked to him but he has given up. My billable amount was Rs. 1.25 lakh but only Rs. 25,000 was paid. Whenever I approach the line producer, Narendra Jani, for the payments, he tells me that they’ve pitched the series to platforms and once it’s sold, everyone’s payments would be cleared.”

Calling Harishankar’s claim that 90% of the payments have been cleared, “lies”, Parmar reveals that several other crew members are going through the ordeal but they are scared to go on record because they fear they might never recover the dues. “I’ve sent the bills numerous times, I have given my account details but there’s no response from him,” he says.

Manish Harishankar, who is directing and producing the web series, says the leads have been paid in full. “For supporting actors, we have to hold 10-15% of the total payment, which is given after dubbing etc. Whatever payment is pending is because post-production is on. From my budget, I have cleared 90% of the payments,” he tells us.