But nepotism allegations are not coming in the way of his daughter Athiya’s next, which is eyeing a July release
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 18, 2019)

Mirror had recently reported (April 5) that Suniel Shetty whose actress daughter Athiya Shetty is playing Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s leading lady in the romcom Motichoor Chaknachoor had been accused by the makers of “interfering” with the film. Bringing nepotism to the fore, a public notice issued to the actor by the producer’s advocates Ramesh and Kusum Jain informed that the film’s producers Rajesh and Kiran Bhatia are “the only final authority and decision-making authority” and that Suniel had “no right, title and/or interest in the said film and has no capacity or any authority to either directly or indirectly discuss or take any decisions, negotiate, strategise or overlook the edit or in any manner interfere or be involved with the film Motichoor Chaknachoor or in any manner interfere or be involved with its casts, crew, technical team or coordinate with the studio involved with the film or its creative and marketing teams or post production or any person connected with the trade”. Twelve days later, when Mirror quizzed the makers on the issue, their spokesperson said, “Suniel hasn’t responded to the notice.” The producers are looking at a July release with both Nawaz and Athiya as part of the promotions.

Meanwhile, a source from the sets revealed that in the film, Nawaz and Athiya are neighbours, Pushpendra and Anita, who live in Bhopal. “Nawaz who works in Dubai returns to his hometown on a break. Athiya, an ambitious collegian, agrees to marry him when his family proposes marriage, so she can live out her dream of travelling abroad. The story explores how the unlikely couple eventually finds love,” the source informed.

The film has been shot in Bhopal with the actors taking training in diction and accent. When quizzed on the quirky title the source pointed out that motichoor laddoos are served at most weddings.

Producers of an upcoming romcom featuring Athiya Shetty issue public notice to her father
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 5, 2019)

Two years since Kangana Ranaut sparked off the nepotism debate in Bollywood, the issue has reared its head yet again. Mirror has learnt that Suniel Shetty whose actress daughter Athiya Shetty is the lead of debutant director Deba Mitra Hasan’s Motichoor Chaknachoor opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui, has been accused by the makers of interfering in the film.

On Thursday, a public notice—issued on March 13 by Advocates Ramesh and Kusum Jain—surfaced, informing that the film’s producers Rajesh and Kiran Bhatia are “the only final authority and decision-making authority on every aspect and or/every project of M/s Woodpecker Movies Pvt Ltd.”

The notice went on to say that the producers would like to inform and put on record that “Mr Suniel Shetty has no right, title and/or interest in the said film and has no capacity or any authority to either directly or indirectly discuss or take any decisions, negotiate, strategise or overlook the edit or in any manner interfere or be involved with the film Motichoor Chaknachoor or with its cast, crews, technical teams or coordinate with the studio involved with the film or its creative and marketing teams or post productions or any person connected or with the trade”.

The notice closed with a word of caution, adding, “If done so, it shall be considered as trespassing and breach of confidentiality at its own risk, cost and consequences.”

When we reached out to Suniel for a comment, the actor-filmmaker laughed and said, “I will talk at the right time.”