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Though those who watched the film have been trying their best to erase it from their minds due to its subpar quality, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024) seems unlikely to fade anytime soon as the controversy surrounding its production has escalated, with even non-cast and crew members weighing in. Now, Ramesh Taurani, co-founder of the music record label and film production and distribution company Tips Industries, has commented on the row, coming out in support of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’s (BMCM) producers.
The controversy began after the movie bombed at the box office, following which many who worked on it, particularly on the technical side, came forward claiming they had not been paid by the producers, Vashu Bhagnani and his son Jackky Bhagnani of Pooja Entertainment. The matter intensified when it reached the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), following a complaint filed by the film’s director Ali Abbas Zafar against the producers. In addition to Zafar, directors Tinu Desai and Vikas Bahl — who helmed Pooja Entertainment’s Mission Raniganj (2023) and Ganpath (2023), respectively — have also lodged complaints against the production company for unpaid dues. In retaliation, the Bhagnanis filed a police complaint against Zafar, accusing him of “misappropriation of funds”.
Amidst all this, Ramesh Taurani weighed in on the controversy, expressing his belief that the issue would soon be resolved. He added that he doesn’t believe Vashu Bhagnani is “that kind of producer”. “Whatever happened will be cleared up and they will move forward. I don’t think he’s the kind of producer who would do something like this. He’s been around since 1995. I have never heard of him doing something like this with anyone’s money before. I think it’s a misunderstanding, and they’ll make sure it’s sorted out,” he said during a chat with The Indian Express.
Although the Bhagnanis have filed a complaint against him, Ali Abbas Zafar has received strong backing from the cast and crew of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, who are defending him against accusations of “criminal conspiracy” and “misappropriation of funds”.
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The Bhagnanis’ 17-page complaint outlines their grievances, accusing Zafar and his business partners of entrapping them in a conspiracy. They further alleged that Ali had “siphoned off subsidy funds from Abu Dhabi authorities” during the shoot and “hijacked” the Akshay Kumar-Tiger Shroff starrer.
Actor Ronit Roy also recently criticised Vashu Bhagnani, revealing that his payment for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was delayed until Ali Abbas Zafar’s associate Himanshu Mehra intervened. “The money was supposed to come from Vashu Bhagnani and it came from Vashu Bhagnani, but that happened only after Himanshu Mehra (who works with Ali Abbas Zafar) intervened. And when it came to the dues of my staff and my security company that guarded the sets in Mumbai, it was all very much delayed and we got that also due to Himanshu,” the actor said during a chat with Zoom.
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