‘Jackky Bhagnani Blocked Me…’: BMCM Team Backs Ali Abbas Zafar Amid Allegations Of Fund Misappropriation

Ali Abbas Zafar has filed a complaint against Pooja Entertainment for unpaid dues. In response, the production house countered with claims that Zafar, partner Himanshu Mehra and finance head Ekesh Ranadive misappropriated subsidy funds from Abu Dhabi during filming. Following the allegations, the crew and cast of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan rallied around Zafar. Actor Khalid Siddiqui, who has collaborated closely with him, spoke out in defense of the director against Vashu Bhagnani’s accusations.

Khalid, an actor from Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, voiced his frustrations on Instagram about the difficulties he faced with Puja Entertainment, the production house run by Bhagnani. He revealed that he had repeatedly asked for his payments but was met with silence, ultimately being blocked by Jackky Bhagnani. Despite promises of payment, Khalid found himself having to “beg” for what he was owed. It was only when Ali’s AAZ Films intervened that he finally received his dues. “In such a situation, it was only the team at AAZ Films who would always answer the calls and reassure me that I would be paid. The team at AAZ Films paid us and cleared our dues,” Khalid wrote.

Since its release, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan has generated significant buzz, though not for the best reasons. Starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, the film struggled at the box office despite its hefty budget. Recently, producers Vashu and Jackky Bhagnani filed a 17-page complaint against director Ali Abbas Zafar, alleging that he and his business partners had entangled them in a criminal conspiracy.

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Backing Zafar, action director Parvez Shaikh called the accusations against Ali Abbas Zafar Films unfounded. He mentioned that he has worked with Zafar since 2014 and has never encountered any payment issues. “Finally, after the subsidy money from Abu Dhabi for the film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was released, my dues were cleared. I’d like to thank the team from AAZ Films and specially Ali Abbas Zafar, Himanshu Mehra, who cleared all my payments and the wages for the hardworking stunt men through Movie Stunt Artist Association,” he said. In a long post, he also mentioned, “They (AAZ Films) are people of their word when it comes to business.”

Film editor Steven Bernard too highlighted payment delays, saying, “I had a very urgent and serious family emergency with my father’s hospitalisation for over two months and needed funds. I followed up regularly, but there was no breakthrough. Throughout, AAZ Films were supportive and assured me that I would receive my remuneration. Finally, this week, after the subsidy from Abu Dhabi was released, thanks to the team from AAZ Films, I received the last installment in full.”

It was previously reported that Akshay Kumar approached Vashu Bhagnani as his company faced significant challenges following the release of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.