Mumbai: A city court has temporarily restrained actor and film critic Kamaal R Khan from publishing defamatory content against film producer Vashu Bhagnani, saying he has “no absolute right” to damage the latter’s reputation under the guise of movie review in public domain.

The judge underscored that “right to speech of one person should not cause breach of the right of privacy and public image of another person”.

Bhagnani had sought legal action against Khan for allegedly running a “well-orchestrated smear campaign” in early 2021 by posting a series of “grossly defamatory, slanderous, and distasteful” tweets and videos. Bhagnani as interim injunctions — until his main defamation suit against Khan was decided — had sought directions prohibiting Khan from publishing any further defamatory comments and an unconditional apology.

In an order passed earlierthis month, civil judge Amit A Laulkar asked Khan to delete or withdraw the “offending allegations” mentioned in the legal motion. However, it denied the prayer for an unconditional apology, stating that such a mandate requires detailed evidence typically handled at the final trial stage. Khan, in his response, argued that the motion was “frivolous” and based on “distorted facts”. He maintained that as a film critic, it is his job to review films and discuss industry trade. 

For some time now, it has been known that in May, Shah Rukh Khan and his family will vacate their iconic Bandra (Mumbai) bungalow, Mannat, and relocate to four floors of a nearby luxury apartment building. The ‘move’ will mark the first time in over 20 years that the actor has a ‘neighbour next-door’.

SRK’s new, albeit temporary, address Puja Casa, is co-owned by filmmaker Vashu Bhagnani, his son, actor-filmmaker Jackky Bhagnani, and daughter Deepshikha Deshmukh. In fact, the Pali Hill property has been home to the Bhagnanis for years now. Along with Vashu and his wife Pooja, Jackky and his wife — actor Rakul Preet Singh — also live in the building. In short, the Bhagnanis will be the actor’s neighbours for the next two-three years until the Khans return to a renovated Mannat.

Shah Rukh has leased two duplex apartments on the building’s first, second, seventh, and eighth floors for three years. The actor will pay close to Rs. 24 lakh as monthly rent for the property. As per new reports, the agreement was finalized via a home visit, due to security concerns. Interestingly, the duplexes also overlook the bungalow of late veteran actor Dilip Kumar, with whom Shah Rukh shared a close connection.

According to sources, Shah Rukh and his team are working to ensure proper safety and privacy for him and his family at the apartment complex.

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan has leased two duplex apartments in a luxury residential tower in plush Pali Hill locality of Khar west for a total rent of Rs 2.9 crore per year.

The transactions for apartments in Puja Casa building have been registered as leave and licence agreements for a total duration of 36 months. The deals were registered on February 14 and were concluded a week prior to that, as per documents accessed through Zapkey.com.

The first transaction involves a duplex on the first and second floors. The agreement has been signed between landlords—producer Jackky Bhagnani and his sister Deepshikha Deshmukh—and the actor. The monthly rent for this apartment is Rs 11.54 lakh, with a total security deposit of Rs 32.97 lakh.

The second transaction is for a duplex on the seventh and eighth floors. The landlord for this unit is film producer Vashu Bhagnani. The monthly rent is Rs 12.61 lakh, with a security deposit of Rs 36 lakh. The combined monthly rent for both properties is Rs 24.15 lakh.

ET’s query to Khan’s team remained unanswered until the time of going to press.

The actor’s residence, Mannat, is a landmark bungalow located in Bandra west’s Bandstand area. The sea-facing property spans multiple floors and includes luxurious interiors, a private theatre, a gym and expansive living spaces.

Originally a smaller heritage structure, it was acquired by Khan in 2001 and expanded into a multi-storey home. It is one of Mumbai’s most well-known celebrity residences, often attracting fans who gather outside for a glimpse of the actor. The bungalow’s prime location and architectural design makes it one of the most valuable properties in the city.

In a significant escalation of the controversy surrounding the film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, producer Vashu Bhagnani has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against the film’s director Ali Abbas Zafar, co-producer Himanshu Mehra, and finance head Ekesh Randive. The allegations, registered on December 8, 2024, at the Bandra Police Station, include financial fraud, forgery, and criminal misconduct.

The FIR, initiated following a December 2 court order, lists multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code, including Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), Section 406 (criminal breach of trust), Section 420 (cheating), Section 464 (making a false document), Section 468 (forgery for cheating), Section 471 (using a forged document), Section 500 (defamation), and Section 506 (criminal intimidation).

Bhagnani has accused Zafar and his associates of conspiring to inflate the film’s budget from the originally approved Rs. 125 crore (excluding actor fees) to Rs. 154 crore without proper justification. Specific allegations include forging invoices, overspending on luxury accommodations, equipment rentals, and hiring external vendors without necessary approvals. The FIR also claims that Bhagnani’s signatures were forged to misappropriate funds.

According to the FIR, the irregularities began after Bhagnani signed a four-film contract with actor Akshay Kumar in February 2021, with Bade Miyan Chote Miyan as one of the projects. Later that year, Zafar was brought on board to direct and write the script, Mehra was assigned as co-producer, and Randive was appointed to oversee financial management.

In March, Amazon Prime Video had announced the mythological action film, Ashwatthama - The Saga Continues, with much fanfare at its event. The Shahid Kapoor-starrer, to be helmed by Kannada filmmaker Sachin B Ravi, was designed to be one of the streaming giant’s most ambitious productions from India. However, eight months on, we’ve heard that the project has been put on hold due to budget constraints and logistical challenges.

Sources close to Ashwatthama, which was being produced by Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment along with Amazon Studios, reveal that its budget was initially pegged at over Rs 500 crores. Apparently, the budget began to balloon as pre-production progressed.

An insider from the production team shared, “The project’s scale was enormous. The idea was to create something that could rival international fantasy-action films. Ashwatthama was supposed to be shot across multiple countries. But as we began working out the logistics and coordinating shoots across international locations, it became clear that staying within budget would be a serious challenge. Pooja Entertainment’s debt became another big factor.”

Kapoor had begun his physical training for the film, which would be set in the present day, with the narrative blending in mythological themes inspired by the legendary warrior, Ashwatthama, from the Mahabharata. The actor is now said to be focusing on Vishal Bhardwaj’s film instead.

A trade insider said, “Given the current state of the market, studios are being cautious about green-lighting mega-budget films. A project like Ashwatthama comes with a lot of risk.” mid-day reached out to Bhagnani, who didn’t respond till press time.

Pooja Entertainment, led by producers Vashu and Jackky Bhagnani, has been navigating a difficult phase following a series of box- office disappointments. The latest, however, is the complex web of financial controversies involving the production house in an ugly legal tussle with streaming giant, Netflix. Bhagnani has sued Netflix for cheating and non-payment of dues to the tune of nearly Rs. 47.37 crore. 

Even as Netflix issued a denial and claimed that it is Pooja Entertainment that owes them money, the case, now under investigation by the Economic Offences Wing, seems to be stacked in the favour of Bhagnanis, owing apparently to non-cooperation from Netflix India.

Speaking exclusively to HT City, the investigating officer on the case, Senior Inspector Ravindra Avhad, says, “This amount of Rs. 47.37 crore is what Netflix owes to the complainant, Vashu Bhagnani. But Netflix is not cooperating. We sent them two summonses, but they are not appearing. They haven’t replied to the letter sent to them by us. Bhagnanis came to us in April, we recorded their statements and collected the required documents. Netflix asked for some time, but aaye hi nahin. Lower level ke staff ko bhej dete hain statement ke liye, but it is Monika Shergill (Content Head, Netflix India) who should appear.”

When asked about Netflix’s counterclaim on Bhagnanis as per their media statement (see bottom right box), he adds, “I am not aware about what statement Netflix has issued, but aisa kuchh nahin hai.”

When we contacted Netflix, they responded with the same media statement given out earlier (see bottom right box). Meanwhile, Vashu Bhagnani, says, “We registered the case against Netflix in April. We have full faith in the EOW to resolve the matter.”

The Context

Vashu Bhagnani, in his complaint filed in April 2024, claimed that Netflix ‘conspired against the rights’ of his three films: Hero No 1 (yet to be fully shot), Mission Raniganj and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. He filed a complaint against Los Gatos Production Services India, through which Netflix reports its content investments in India, Zoo Digital India and against executives of both companies. Netflix, in its response, issued a spokesperson statement on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a source privy to the developments in the case tells us on condition of anonymity, “Bhagnanis have been in the industry for over 40 years, and right now they feel the entire industry is not supporting them through their rough patch. While they have suffered heavy losses, their last film’s director (Ali Abbas Zafar; Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan) has taken over Rs. 14 crore of their money, for which they have lodged a police complaint. They are willing to repay everyone’s pending dues, at least they should get their dues first in order to do it.”

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We registered the case against Netflix in April. We have full faith in the EOW to resolve the matter.

- Vashu Bhagnani, producer

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“These claims are completely unfounded — indeed it’s Pooja Entertainment that owes Netflix money. We have a strong track record of partnership with the Indian creative community and are working with the authorities to resolve this dispute,” Netflix spokesperson said.

Film producer Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment has been under the scanner for non-payment of fees to its cast and crew, who have worked on three projects, including Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Amid all this, Ravi Kumar, a 45-year-old focus puller who was struggling to make ends meet due to non-payment, has received aid from actor Tiger Shroff. Kumar met with an accident last year, which left him bedridden for eight months.

“[After the accident] I’ve been taking up light work. But I’m not getting much work,” he says, adding that his savings were spent paying off medical bills, and he had been promised payment for the unreleased film Mere Husband Ki Biwi, which he worked on in 2022.

When he learnt of Kumar’s predicament, Tiger extended help to the crew member. “My brother, Prasad, had worked on his father (actor) Jackie Shroff’s 1994 film, 1942: A Love Story, where he fractured his hand on the sets. Tab Jackie sir ne mere bhai ka operation karaya tha. Now, his son (Tiger) helped me. I was the focus puller on Heropanti. So he came forward to help me,” says Kumar, who doesn’t wish to disclose the amount, that we have learnt is in lakhs.

Adding how the Shroff family has been looking out for him, Kumar adds, “His mum (Ayesha Shroff) called me on Tuesday. Tiger might not remember that I worked on his debut film. But as a human being, he still came forward to help.”

The sharp swings in the share price of a Mumbai-based film production company in the past month has raised eyebrows on Dalal Street. In the previous six trading sessions, Vashu Bhagnani Industries, formerly known as Pooja Entertainment, has been locked in the daily lowest tradable limit on the BSE, declining nearly 36% in this period following news reports that the company was under financial stress.

Shares of the company, owned by veteran film producer Vashu Bhagnani, have rallied 1,168% in the past one year, and 355% so far in 2024, taking the company's market cap from Rs. 82 crore a year ago to over Rs. 1,000 crore now.

The stock closed at Rs. 298.85 on Monday, 5% lower - the lowest tradable limit in the trading session. The recent losing spree in the shares has continued even after the company, in a stock exchange disclosure, denied news reports that said the entity sold off its office building, laid off staff and is seeing delay in salary payments.

Before the news surfaced on June 24, shares of Vashu Bhagnani Industries had almost doubled in just one month, from Rs. 209 on May 24 to Rs. 410.

"Pooja Entertainment is a classic example of a share doing better than the market but without any fundamentals," said Arun Kejriwal, founder, KRIS, a Mumbai-based investment consultancy firm. "Such price movements make one believe that it is not natural but artificial."

The company's consolidated profit for FY24 stood at Rs. 8 crore as against Rs. 2.86 crore the previous year. Consolidated revenues were at Rs. 58.07 crore during the year as against Rs. 46.6 crore in the previous year.

Film trade analysts claim the company's recent movies have not been profitable. "We have not seen Pooja Entertainment's movies do well in the last 23 years. The production house's last hit movie was in 2001 named 'Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai'; and ever since then, all their movies have tanked," said Komal Nahata, a trade analyst.

"Recent releases like Bade Miyan Chotte Miyan, Mission Raniganj, and Bellbottom have also failed to break this streak and were box office flops."

President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), Birendra Nath Tiwari, stated on Friday that veteran film producer Vashu Bhagnani’s production house has outstanding dues amounting to more than Rs. 65 lakh. Of the total amount, Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment owes Rs. 33.13 lakh to director Tinu Desai for the 2023 Akshay Kumar-starrer Mission Raniganj, while Rs. 31.78 lakh is owed to over 250 set workers who contributed to Mission Raniganj, Ganapath (2023), and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. 

“A written complaint was filed by the director of Mission Raniganj regarding non-payment of his dues last year in March. We’ve been following up with Pooja Entertainment, but still they haven’t made the payment. They’ve said they will clear the dues by July end,” Tiwari told PTI, adding that IFTDA wrote several letters to the production house, but they kept delaying the payment.

“In February, they sought time to pay, citing Jackky Bhagnani’s (actor-producer) wedding. After FWICE wrote them a letter in March, they again sought time to make the payment after the release of their film, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan; that did not happen,” he added.

We reached out to Bhagnani, but he was unavailable for comment till the time of going to press.

Since the last few days, Pooja Entertainment, the production house run by Vashu Bhagnani and son Jackky Bhagnani, which has produced films like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Bellbottom, Mission Raniganj and Ganapath among others, has been in the news over non-payment of dues. It was reported that Vashu sold off his seven-floor office space in Juhu, to pay off his Rs 250 crore debt.The same reports also stated that Vashu has laid off 80 per cent of his staff.

Talking to us from London, Vashu Bhagnani said, “The building (office space) that people are talking about hasn’t been sold to anyone, it belongs to me even now. We are only redeveloping it into a tower that will house luxury homes. This was planned 1.5 years ago. I was waiting for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan to release after which we wanted to start the redevelopment.”

While the office space is being redeveloped, his team now works out of their old office which he says has been “lucky” for him. Denying reports that also claim he has laid off 80 per cent of his staff, Vashu says, “We’ve had the same team working with us since 10 years, we haven’t asked anyone to leave.”

Many reports stated that the debacle of the Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff starrer, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was a final blow for his production house, which has seen a string of flops at the box office like Bell Bottom, Mission Raniganj and Ganapath in recent times. “We are in the film business, and hits and flops are a part of the business. I am already on to my next project. I am working on an animation series, which is going to be pitched on a mega scale,” he says.

Ask him if his production house owes money to anyone as being reported and he says, “I have been in the business for the past 30 years. If there are people who claim that we owe them money, they should come forward and talk to us. Do they have proper contracts with Pooja Entertainment? Have they filed a case regarding this? There are so many ways to sort this rather than ranting on social media. If there is an issue, we will resolve it. Nobody is running away. Please come to my office, talk to us, give us your documents and give us 60 days to figure things out. I am not going to buckle under any pressure or blackmail. We also work with production companies in the UK. If they owe someone money, then people should reach out to them directly.”

He adds, “I am also into other businesses, but what I’m most passionate about is making movies and I will continue doing that.”

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (BMCM) will get an exotic touch as the entire team, including actors Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, head to Jordan to shoot for three songs, which will happen between January 19 to February 2.

Akshay says, “I’m excited to shoot in Jordan. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s a beautiful country. BMCM has superb action and requires a certain terrain. Vashu ji (producer Vashu Bhagnani) and director Ali (Ali Abbas Zafar) have chosen Jordan with a lot of thought.” They’ve also shot in Mumbai, London, Scotland and Abu Dhabi.

The songs will be choreographed by Bosco Martis, shares a source, adding, “The makers are going all out to make the songs a visual spectacle for the audience. They are taking a crew of 400-500 people, including 200 dancers.”

Going to Jordan is a bold move by the makers as it’s in the centre of three conflict zones. Sharing the reason behind their choice, producer Jackky Bhagnani says, “Jordan is amazing in terms of landscape as it has desert, mountains and good structures.” The film will release on Eid this year and also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Sonakshi Sinha, Manushi Chhillar and Alaya F.

BMCM will see Akshay and Tiger unite, which has led to high anticipation among fans. Ali says, “It’s a big-ticket film coming on a big day. The action in the film has been executed by Akshay and Tiger without the use of too much VFX and body double.”

In a significant legal victory, film producer Prerna Arora, known for movies such as Rustom (2016), Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) and Pad Man (2018), has been exonerated of all charges by the Bombay High Court. The charges had been filed against her in connection with a cheating case initiated by film financier Vashu Bhagnani in 2018. Bhagnani had alleged that Arora failed to return funds, reportedly over Rs. 30 crore, for the film Pad Man to him.

Arora tells us, “I am a female producer and an outsider with no background in this industry who achieved all that on my own... One day, I was at the top of my career, and another day, I lost everything. It was too dark outside. I was at my lowest. Everyone pounced on me without knowing the complete reality.”

She goes on, “Truth is not always welcomed here. It’s a men-dominated industry, and a female producer from outside, doing everything on her own, with dignity, wasn’t something that everyone could accept and celebrate.” Arora says there are several issues regarding finances in the industry, but hers, in particular, was “blown out of proportion”. 

The producer also doesn’t shy away from addressing the prevalent issues of nepotism, saying, “It (nepotism) is not always about launching star kids; it is also when someone is just supporting their own people. I got to know about several people who called others and told them not to work with me.”

In her darkest moments, Arora says she found support from actors Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt. “They trusted me and helped me. That’s why doing one song with them is bigger than giving them a hit like Rustom or Pad Man. Salman came in when I needed people to show belief in me and understand my pain.”

Slowly but surely, actors are returning to the big screen. After Akshay Kumar’s Bellbottom managed a respectable figure at the box-office, it has boosted the confidence of filmmakers to take the leap of faith. Among them is Kushan Nandy, whose Jogira Sara Ra Ra is nearing completion.

The director says the Nawazuddin Siddiqui-led film is set to be theatre-bound despite some OTT platforms vying for its premiere rights. Sources say that Netflix India and Amazon Prime Video had initiated talks with the makers over a month ago.

“We have got quite a few lucrative offers from digital platforms, but we are looking only at theatres. Jogira Sara Ra Ra is a fun, four-ticket film that families [will enjoy] on the big screen. Nawaz, producer Naeem Siddiqui, creative producer Kiran Shroff and I discussed it at length, and unanimously agreed on it. We are confident about the film doing well in cinemas — that’s the first and foremost reason we don’t want to take the OTT route,” says the director, who has reunited with Siddiqui after Babumoshai Bandookbaaz (2017).

He acknowledges that Bellbottom’s performance has strengthened their resolve further. “Kudos to Akshay Kumar, Vashu Bhagnani [producer] and their team for taking this step! It’s a courageous call and shows us the way forward.”

Luckily, the makers of Jogira Sara Ra Ra — also featuring Neha Sharma — have the advantage of time. While the director completed the talkie portions in April, two songs have yet to be shot. Nandy hopes that by the time he calls it a wrap on the slice-of-life movie, the situation will have further improved. 

“We will shoot Nawaz’s song by the end of September, and the other, with Neha, in early October at a Mumbai set. The post-production and background mixing are underway,” says the filmmaker, hoping to reach the finish line soon. The makers will zero in on a release date after the songs are shot.

Someone had to make a start after the slump that cinemas have been in since the second lockdown in April. In this case, Akshay Kumar did. Last week, Bellbottom became the first Bollywood film since April to pursue a theatrical release. All eyes have since been on the thriller to gauge if more movies can take the big-screen route.

With Mumbai and certain parts of Maharashtra yet to reopen their movie halls, Bell Bottom’s first weekend collections are understandably underwhelming. But trade analyst Taran Adarsh points out that in the current scenario, business is not the top priority, changing behaviour patterns is. “Hats off to Akshay and Vashu [Bhagnani, producer] for showing the confidence to release the film amid the pandemic! It will now need a continuous [supply of] fresh content, like Sooryavanshi, '83 and Thalaivi. The next big film is Amitabh Bachchan’s Chehre. It will take time for people to return to theatres because it’s no longer a habit,” says Adarsh.

He adds that the Ranjit M Tewari directorial venture has collected approximately nine crore in the first three days — a respectable figure, given the constraints. “We lost 30 per cent of the revenue from Maharashtra. Plus, there are restrictions in terms of show limitations. In a normal scenario, Akshay’s films earn around Rs 13 to 14 crore per day. But right now, it is not about the collections; it is about getting the audience back to theatres."

Trade analyst Ramesh Bala doesn’t share Adarsh’s optimistic view. “The film has performed below expectations. People aren’t going back to movie halls, or have assumed it will drop on an OTT platform soon,” he says, noting that the lack of urgency to watch a film is a sign of the changed viewing pattern. “The lack of results shouldn’t deter other directors. With KGF: Chapter 2 postponed to April 2022, filmmakers are waiting for the market to recover so that they can make the most of their projects.”

He was one of the first actors to take the leap of faith and start shooting a movie soon after the first lockdown ended in 2020. In his bid to adapt to the new normal and find a way to work around it, Akshay Kumar completed the shooting of BellBottom in record time and today, has a long slate of films — some ready for release and some in various stages of production. In a chat with BT, the actor spoke about his first theatrical release this year and more. Excerpts:

BellBottom is also a story based on true events, and personally, I’m really intrigued by real-life context. So, I pick such content. The intrigue and thrill increase tenfold when you find out that an extraordinary incident actually took place. I love real-life stories. Before making this film, I also didn’t know about this chapter in history. I think a lot of people don’t know much about it as it is based on a RAW agent and a covert operation. Things like these are usually classified information. BellBottom is set in the 70s and 80s when India faced the challenge of multiple hijacks. During one such incident, a RAW agent whose code name is BellBottom sees through the plan and begins India’s first covert operation.

Honestly, I don’t think so much, I look at a character as a character, and the film as a whole. If I like the script and screenplay, I go ahead with it. Whether it’s a hero’s role or a villain’s part, a 10-day shoot, or a month-long schedule... if I know it is something I’m going to enjoy playing, I do it. The above-mentioned films were successful, so, yes, in a way, it is like setting a benchmark for yourself and then crossing it.

It was actually very spontaneous. Our producer Vashu ji (Bhagnani), who shuttles between the UK and India, at that time was in the UK. I remember I was talking to him over the phone. It had been probably a month-and-a-half since we were in lockdown and restlessness had started to set in. It was probably the longest time I’d gone without facing the camera. And I randomly suggested to him that we shoot abroad in a bio-bubble. I kid you not, within 30 seconds, he said, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’ It was all him, he believed he could pull it off and he did. Ours was the first film in the world to start and finish shooting in the midst of the pandemic, and now, we are the first Hindi film to unlock theatres after the second wave, despite losing out on Maharashtra. From the start till the end, it has been Vashu ji, and of course, his children, Jackky and Honey, who have made this impossible mission possible.

I think this decision, and rightly so, belongs to the person whose money is riding on it. So, even in the case of BellBottom, it was Vashu ji’s decision to go ahead with the theatrical release of the film and we all respected that. Of course, it would’ve been a more favourable scenario had theatres in Maharashtra opened up, because anyway, as per the norms, it would’ve been 50% occupancy, so you’re already losing out a huge chunk. And now, with Maharashtra territory not opening up, which accounts for nearly 30% of the business, it is going to be a tough battle. But Vashu ji is a brave man, he’d made up his mind that come rain or sunshine, this time, we wouldn’t budge from the planned release date.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — with regards to Sooryavanshi’s release date, there are only two people who can answer your question. One is God and the other person is Rohit Shetty. Even I want to see Sooryavanshi on the big screen. As for the audience and my fans, I’m really grateful that despite such a long wait, they are asking about updates on its release. Hopefully, BellBottom will pave the way for future theatrical releases including Sooryavanshi.

I think so. Living with COVID is the norm now. The recent India vs England match is a good example, if you saw how many people turned up in the stadium. After all, for how long can people stay cooped up at home, not go to work, to the mall, stadiums, theatres and restaurants? I think the audience is also hungry to watch films on the big screen, one just has to wear a mask and move on.

Definitely the latter. Despite a huge territory like Maharashtra not opening up, we still went ahead with Bell-Bottom’s release, because someone has to. Now, we have vaccinations in place, theatres are sanitised and following all safety protocols, their employees are vaccinated and people are masking up. Given the circumstances, everyone is putting their best foot forward and trying to make the experience of watching a movie in a theatre normal and safe again.

After BellBottom, I’m now shooting my second film, tentatively titled Cinderella with Ranjit. You know, earlier I used to work with new directors because big directors didn’t take me in their films (laughs!). But the reason I continue to do so even now is that although new directors lack experience, they make it up with their greed to do more, passion to do better and that is something I like surrendering to. I know while I may be working on multiple projects at one go, this person has only this one opportunity to get it right and he will give it his all.

I wouldn’t say I insisted, but yes, I did suggest Lara’s name for the role. For some reason, she was the first person who came to my mind. I remember calling her up and telling her about this film that I was doing and that we were casting for the role of Indira Gandhi in it. I wanted her to consider it. And she started laughing and refused to believe I was seriously asking her to consider it. For the longest time, she thought I was playing a prank as she saw no similarity between the two whatsoever. But then I explained to her what the role entailed and why I felt she could do justice to it. And she, along with the brilliance of make-up artist Vikram Gaikwad and his team, did exactly that.

Lara Dutta Bhupathi turned out to be the surprise element in the trailer of Ranjit Tiwari’s spy-thriller BellBottom, set in the 1980s. The actress plays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In the last few years, Lara has directed her attention towards characters, largely in the content created for the OTT platform. In a chat with BT, the actress spoke about the transition she sees in storytelling, being offered worthwhile characters and more. Excerpts:

Well, the reactions have been overwhelming, and a common feedback is that people could not easily place me in the trailer. Honestly, even I was overwhelmed when I saw myself in the mirror for the first time in the get-up, with prosthetics and the wig in place. I could not find Lara anywhere in the mirror. As an actor, it means something to me to be able to convincingly pull that off. It’s an honour to play Mrs Indira Gandhi.

When Akshay (Kumar, her co-star in the film) called me and told me they were casting for BellBottom and they wanted me to play Mrs Gandhi, I took it as a joke. Of course, I realised he is serious. I was concerned as we had nothing in common, not one feature that made me look like her. There was no resemblance whatsoever. But he was convinced because the producers and he wanted an actress who had a certain poise and presence. When you get such a part, as an artiste, you don’t pass it on. I had to be immensely responsible while portraying Mrs Gandhi on screen, it had to be done appropriately. A lot of prep went into it. Right from watching a lot of her videos pulled out from archives, footage of her speeches, which helped me study her mannerisms, and also what she stresses on when she speaks. My father (L K Dutta, Retd Wing Commander) has served as her personal pilot. I had heard stories about her from him, about how she would be around different sets of people and how she was as a person. I was a child then, and I used to be fascinated by her.

But all that my father had told me back then, has helped me to play the character now. An essential aspect of playing the role was to understand her as a person; go beyond adapting her mannerisms and style of wearing clothes. There was a certain environment that she was inhabiting at that time. The 1980s had a certain kind of political and social environment. One had to imagine how Mrs Gandhi would have acted and reacted in those situations. BellBottom is set around a set of highly dramatic events, but she was not thrown into the dramatics at all. She shared a rapport with R N Kao, the founding father of R&AW. She would turn to him in a crisis. It’s depicted very well in the film. I am excited for people to see what we have created as a film.

Unless something is challenging, I don’t want to slip my foot into it. I have more or less tried everything from the songs and dances to the comedies and serious films. I have also produced a film in the past. So, something should really push me out of my comfort zone for me to do it. This film did that. I am not just an actor — I am a mother to a nine-year-old child, I have a business running, I have a whole lot of other things taking away my time. If I have to make room for an acting assignment, it will have to be worth the ride. The good part is that the writers are now, more consciously, writing a lot of good roles for women my age. There’s a lot for us to do. They are real characters, with nothing atypical about them. It’s a departure from the suffering woman or the perfect mother. I love the fact that writers are doing such a great job with characters. When there is a chance to imbibe a beautiful character like Indira Gandhi’s, you step forth and embrace it.

The number one role I have on hand is that of a mother. Everything I do today is kind of designed around Saira. I’m very clear that as an actor I have certain limitations. I have a system in place that allows me to use my abilities well and balance my role at home at the same time. So, for me, it all boils down to what the role is, what I am stepping into and why I am being chosen to play the role. I want to know what value one thinks I can bring to a project, if something was envisioned with me and why. Of course, it also matters who I work with. Once that is in place, things move smoothly.

It was a tough time and uncertainty was looming large. There was no vaccine, there were all kinds of truths and myths floating around and everyone was stressed. I have to give credit to Vashu Bhagnani and his children, Jackky and Honey, for ensuring that everyone was safe. I think it’s important for the show to go on. The world had already changed a great deal by the time we started shooting. The morale was low when Vashu ji stepped forward and decided to take the film on floors and reboot work in the industry. It also takes an actor like Akshay Kumar who believes that we cannot stop functioning, ever, and that we have to find a way to survive this. We went ahead and all of us did mandatory quarantine before the shoot. The normal sightseeing and shopping routines didn’t happen on this outdoor schedule, but no one complained. We stayed within a bubble, with our families around. It just boosted everyone’s morale. We as a team bonded better. This shoot became special on more than one level.

Bollywood producer Vashu Bhagnani’s company, Pooja Devcon, has been penalised by Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) for not registering a real estate project with the regulator.

The firm in question, set up in 2000, is in the name of Vashu Bhagnani’s wife Pooja Bhagnani. The husband and wife are directors in the company which is carrying out a residential project at Linking Road, Khar.

The fact about the project not being registered with the authority came to light when Nitin Matlani, the complainant, was pressing for possession of his apartment. According to Matlani, he realised that the project is not registered with MahaRERA only after he started getting into the details.

In his complaint, Matlani submitted that the construction of the building is delayed and that he has not yet received possession of the flat. He sought certain relief.

No representation was made at MahaRERA on behalf of Pooja Devcon. Matlani was represented by advocate Mithil Sampat.

Mumbai Mirror sent an email to Pooja Devcon for comment but did not get a reply.

Ajoy Mehta, Chairperson, MahaRERA, observed that “From the submissions made by the complainant hereinabove, it is clear that the said project is an ongoing project and thus falls within the ambit of Section 3 of the said Act.”

As per Section 3 of the Act, the promoter cannot advertise, market, sell or offer or invite anyone to purchase any plot, apartment and building without registering the project as per the provisions of RERA.

There are certain exceptions stated, for example, those projects that had received Occupation Certificate or Completion Certificate when the Act came into force.

In case of violation, the promoter is liable to pay a penalty of up to 10 per cent of the estimated cost of the real estate project.

After going through the arguments and merits of the complaint, MahaRERA Chairperson observed that it is an ongoing project and requires to be registered within 30 days. The MahaRERA barred the company from marketing, advertising or selling any component of the project without obtaining a MahaRERA registration number and levied a penalty of Rs 50,000.

Mehta directed Pooja Devcon to pay the penalty of Rs 50,000 for the violation and register the project within 30 days from receiving requisite approvals to undertake the project.

Though she began her career in South Indian films, language was a creative barrier for Preetika Rao, who “decided to quit them for good in 2012”. The actor then shifted to Mumbai and chose to work in TV shows rather than films.

She says, “People are surprised that I gave Bollywood a skip for television! I had plum offers like Aashiqui 2, and from director Pradeep Sarkar, producers Vashu Bhagnani and Kumar Taurani, but due to my sister Amrita (Rao; actor), I had first-hand insight into Bollywood. Donning a bikini and kissing were mandatory in most A-list projects, and I chose not to compromise on my comfort. Television shows are not only family-friendly but also have a much wider reach than a theatrical release. Fortunately, my first show, Beintehaa, had international success. Even today, it gets me the adulation that only Bollywood movies can get.”

However, life seems to have come full circle for Rao, as she recently signed a Kannada film. “When my director friend Shreyas Sudhindra narrated the script, I couldn’t refuse. My Konkani grandparents spoke fluent Kannada as our roots are from Karwar (Karnataka).”

Content with her career graph, she shares, “I can afford to choose my work. It no longer matters which platform you work on, as long as the content is interesting, as everything eventually lands up on the web. I am looking forward to the release of my web series, Love Sorries, and my single as a vocalist very soon.”

Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much – this maxim perhaps best describes the journey of upcoming film Bellbottom, as it completed its start-to-finish schedule in the Coronavirus pandemic, the first film in the world to do so.

“It’s teamwork and I am grateful to each and every member of the cast and crew, from the spot dadas to the light dadas to the technicians to the make-up dadas to my lovely heroines Vaani (Kapoor), Lara (Dutta), Huma (Qureshi), my director Ranjit (M Tewari) and to Vashu ji (Bhagnani) and the production team who believed in our audacious plan. The new normal has made us realise a different way of working that none of us could have imagined. I hope our shoot during the pandemic reassures others that keeping all safety in mind, it’s time to get things moving again,” says actor Akshay Kumar.

Bellbottom’s tryst with a challenging scenario required out-of-the-box thinking and meticulous planning. “It would have never been possible without the confidence and commitment of the crew that wanted to get back to work. Each and every member of the team showed unbelievable support. A big thank you to Akshay Kumar for agreeing to do this. The successful completion of Bellbottom in record time is testimony to the resilience of the Hindi film industry,” says veteran producer Vashu Bhagnani.

For Pooja Entertainment, it was a challenge. For the producers, it meant managing a stringent health protocol for a 200-plus Indian contingent and a 24×7 production crew.

“We are immensely grateful to the entire unit for trusting us to keep them safe. We feel blessed that we had the right energy on the sets at all times which is the reason why everything came together so beautifully,” adds producer Jackky Bhagnani.

Pooja Entertainment presents in association with Emmay Entertainment Bellbottom. Produced by Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani and Nikkhil Advani. Bellbottom written by Aseem Arrora & Parveez Shaikh is set to release on April 2, 2021.