Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai actress Shilpa Shinde stopped reporting for the shoot, over a week ago. She accused the producer Benaifer Kohli and the channel of favouritism and “mental torture”. SpotboyE got in touch with Benaifer to hear her version of the story. The producer took Shilpa’s allegations head-on and lashed out at the actress’ unprofessional behaviour.
Excerpts:
Allegation# 1: You have bound Shilpa in an exclusive contract that prevents her from working on another TV show.
Nobody forced her to sign that contract; she did it out of her own choice. Various contracts have various clauses – Shilpa’s contract clearly states that she can’t do a second show. She was paid according to that contract. If Shilpa didn’t want to do it, she should have said so. But she negotiated and demanded money, fully aware of what she was getting into.
Allegation#2: You haven’t given Shilpa a raise in lieu for her exclusivity.
It was crystal clear from the start. Shilpa was signed for a certain amount on the condition that she won’t ask for a raise. But within the first year, she asked for a raise twice and was given on both occasions. So what is she talking about? She finally said that if we don’t raise her fee a third time, she will stop coming on the sets under the pretext of a migraine. And see, that’s what she’s doing.
Allegation#3: You were biased towards Saumya Tandon. Shilpa says that Saumya enjoyed a lot of perks, including a top-notch costume designer.
When Saumya came on board, she had some conditions. We agreed to her demands and after that, she has never asked for anything else. In fact, Saumya has gone out of the way and paid from her own pocket on multiple occasions without throwing a tantrum.
How can Shilpa say that we are biased towards Saumya? We have Nisha Bedi Rai, a top-notch designer working solely on Shilpa’s costumes. She has also been provided with a jewellery designer who works exactly according to her requirements. In spite of these arrangements, Shilpa has frequently asked me for additional money for her make-up. And I haven’t ever said no to that.
Allegation#4: You are a real terror and she can’t imagine how your husband lives with you.
My husband chooses to live with me (laughs). Bechara! If she chooses to come back and says that she doesn’t want me around, then I won’t come on the set. I am a terror in the sense that I expect my artist to be punctual. Shilpa has been coming late every single day. That too, by 3-4 hours. I once texted her saying that it is okay if you are late sometimes, but don’t be late all the time. What did she reply? She said, “Madam, without further argument, let’s crack a deal. I need to be paid so much more.” If I was a terror, would anyone dare talk to me like that?
Now, she has demanded a public apology for all the “mental torture” she has gone through...
If I am not wrong and you want me to say sorry, I will still say it – Shilpa, please come back. But I can’t make the channel officials and the rest of my team say sorry to you or tolerate your misbehaviour. 100 people can’t be wrong and only 1, right. You have to honour your contract in the most ethical way possible. Just because the show has become popular, it doesn’t mean you’ll hold us at ransom.
There are rumours that you may replace her with Rashami Desai.
No, how can that be? Rashmi is on another show on our channel.
Buzz is, Shilpa may join Kapil Sharma’s new show.
She can’t. I don’t think the channel can take her as she’s legally bound to be with us (the production house Edit II and the channel & TV). But eventually, I can’t force anyone. I am willing to let go of this hiccup. I am willing to hug her and kiss her. But we won’t pay her more. I wish somebody talked sense to her. But it seems she’s locked herself in a world of her own where she thinks whatever she’s doing is right.
Image Source: facebook/ShilpaShindeOfficial