June 2: A drama of deceit and fraud is being enacted on the sets of popular TV serial Yug. But, the plot is so complex that it's difficult to distinguish the hero from the villain.There are allegations that the director, Sunil Agnihotri, has not paid the artistes and some technicians their dues. Agnihotri, however, claims that he has not received the money the producer, Sattee Shourie, had promised him. Sources revealed Shourie was looking after the payments for the first 20 episodes. However, later she signed a contract with Agnihotri, according to which she was supposed to pay him Rs 3 lakh per episode. This amount covered his fee as the director, the payments to be made to the artistes and technicians and all the post-production expenses. Shourie claims she paid Agnihotri around Rs 6 crore.The trouble began when the actors lodged a complaint with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees Association and the Cine Artists Association. A joint committee of both the associations later banned theproduction of Yug and another serial Betal Pachisi, which was being produced and directed by Agnihotri. While the ban on Yug was lifted after Shourie deposited a cheque of Rs 25 lakh with the Federation, the ban on Betal Pachisi continues. Agnihotri, however, refuses to pay up until his ``balance'' is cleared. Shourie does not know what ``balance'' Agnihotri is talking about. She alleges that Agnihotri misappropriated the amount that was paid to him. ``He had planned everything. He is the Harshad Mehta of television industry. I can never forgive him,'' she said and claimed that Agnihotri had refused to work with stars like Hema Malini and Ashwini Bhave after five or six episodes and pocketed the money thus saved. But, Agnihotri denies the allegations. He says a single episode with the stars used to cost him over Rs 5 lakh, while his budget was only Rs 3 lakh.The direction of Yug has now been handed over to Pappu Verma, who's also the president of Federation of Western India Cine EmployeesAssociation. Agnihotri sees a quid pro quo here. ``The Federation reeks of corruption. As Verma is an employee of Shourie's, he will naturally take her side.''And as the producer and director slug it out, artistes are waiting for their cheques. Actor Pankaj Dheer, who had a rather lengthy role in Yug, claims that Agnihotri and Shourie owe him Rs 4 lakh. ``In my career of 24 years this is the first time that I have not been paid for my work.'' Agnihotri is dismissive of Dheer's claim. He says Dheer is upset as he has been thrown out of the serial and the amount due to him is only around Rs 20,000.Shabhaz Khan, who worked in both Yugand Betal Pachisi, too is waiting for his cheque. ``I have to be paid around Rs 1 lakh for Yug, but I have received post-dated cheques for my role in the other serial.'' He adds that his relations with the director have otherwise been cordial.As regards the other actors, Agnihotri says: ``Many of them had signed contracts directly with Shourie and she is supposed to paythem. I did not deal with them and I am not responsible for her liabilities.'' The Federation, meanwhile, is in possession of written complaints from both Shourie and Agnihotri. It's final decision in the matter is awaited.
