One of the longest running production houses in India, Pooja Entertainment is currently making the headlines for suffering significant financial losses due to several of their recent films flopping at the box-office. Multiple media reports stated that they incurred a debt of Rs 250 crore and had to sell their seven-story office to pay off their debts. Handled by veteran filmmaker Vashu Bhagnani and his son Jackky Bhagnani, it was also heavily reported that the production house had to lay off 80 percent of their staff. Amid it all, many of their crew members went public on social media and revealed that the filmmakers are yet to pay them their unpaid dues.
According to a report by the Free Press Journal, recently a focus puller, C.H. Ravi Kumar opened up about his experience and revealed that he worked on the film Mere Husband Ki Biwi in 2022, starring Arjun Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar and Rakul Preet Singh. He explained during an interaction with Indian Express, that he along with other crew members have been waiting for their payment sing 2022. He stated that the production house owed him Rs 1.56 lakh. It was in June that he met with an accident and was in need of funds, however despite multiple attempts to contact the production house they never paid him after promising to do so. ALSO READ: Akshay Kumar CALLED Vashu Bhagnani With Concern, Told Him 'Not To Worry' Amid Pooja Entertainment's Rs 250 Crore Loss Report
Having been bedridden for 8 months, Kumar recalled that he has exhausted his insurance money and even had to borrow a loan from others to pay his hospital bills. Quoted by Free Press Journal, he added, “Even from my hospital bed, I kept calling, but I was only given excuses. I am a focus puller, but after the accident, because I can’t walk normally, I am not getting enough work.” He further revealed that after making several calls, he was paid Rs 50,000 and Rs 1.6 lakh are still pending.
Frustrated at Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff and other cast members being given full payment, despite Bade Miyan Chote Miyan tanking at the box-office, he asked, “Paisa nahi hai toh film kyu kar rahe ho sir, how can your losses kill our stomach?” Revealing that he cries in his bed all day worrying about the unpaid money and how he hasn’t been getting much work opportunities after his accident, he said, “All the stars were paid, right? Akshay Kumar and all was given full, so why not us? I hope they speak for our causes. They get their payments but won’t talk for us workers who make their movies happen.”
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