Jamai Raja non-payment case: Producer Meenakshi Sagar slaps notices on Sara Afreen Khan and CINTAA, both parties claim she’s lying

“But I am really disappointed with the way CINTAA is dealing with the matter. They have no legal right to impose a non-cooperation movement against me and my company. How can they stop actors to work with me; it was a completely one-sided decision. I have sent them a notice and waiting for a revert. I have also reached out to IMPPA (Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association) and they have promised to support me and sort out this issue,” she added.

Meenakshi has shared proof of her notice to Sara and CINTAA with indianexpress.com.

Sara, on her part, accused Meenakshi of blatantly lying. She told us, “Why would I send her a notice if she had cleared my dues. I have proof that both her cheques bounced (pics attached) and that is a criminal offence. She has gone on record to say that she asked me not to encash the cheques and that she would transfer the amount. Why will someone give cheques when they don’t want us to encash it? Above all, she stopped answering my calls and messages, which prove that she wanted to get away. I had no other option but to approach the CINTAA and speak to the media. And now she calls me to threaten that she will never give me the money. I feel pity for actors who work so hard and this is how producers treat them. As for the defamation charges, well I am ready to fight in the case for I know I am right.”

When we reached out to General Secretary, CINTAA, actor Sushant Singh, he had no idea about the notice. “I am getting to hear this from you. Unless we receive a notice from competent authorities we can’t respond. This is a classic case of ‘ulta chor kotwal ko daante’. In the last two years, we have had 53 complaints against Meenakshi and Moti Sagar. We don’t want any more members being victimised by these people, hence our advisory to our members to not work with her,” he said.

Anil Nagrath, Secretary IMPPA told indianexpress.com, “Meenakshi Sagar has been paying her actors; yes there’s a delay but she has never denied it. Also, IMPPA strictly condemns the non-cooperation movement that CINTAA has started. Meenakshi has been honest about her business issues and we will provide all the support she requires. As part of the industry, we believe all issues can be sorted out with patience and time.”

We will keep an eye on where this battle heads next.