A Mumbai court has directed the police to file a case of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and forgery against film director Ali Abbas Zafar, along with two of his associates, Himanshu Mehra and Ekesh Randive, following a complaint by veteran producer Vashu Bhagnani. The Bandra magistrate’s court, in its order dated December 2, deemed the allegations serious and ordered an investigation into the matter, which involves significant financial misconduct.
Vashu Bhagnani, known for producing several hit Bollywood films, accused Ali Abbas Zafar and his associates of defrauding him during the production of the 2024 film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Bhagnani had entered into an agreement with Ali Abbas Zafar in November 2021 to direct the movie, part of a larger project that included four films starring Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar. However, Bhagnani’s complaint alleges that Ali Abbas Zafar, Mehra, and Randive systematically siphoned off funds and submitted inflated and fabricated documents for approval.
The court, while acknowledging the gravity of the charges, noted that the trio had breached contractual terms by inflating production costs and failing to provide a detailed account of the additional expenses. Bhagnani’s complaint highlighted that the total amount involved in the alleged fraud was substantial and the number of questionable transactions was high. He presented various documents in support of his allegations, including agreements, payment vouchers, cost sheets, and even WhatsApp chats.
In his complaint, Bhagnani claimed that Ali Abbas Zafar had insisted on working with his associates, Mehra and Randive, who were responsible for managing the accounts and overseeing the film’s financials. According to Bhagnani, Ali Abbas Zafar and his team assured him that all expenses would be submitted for prior approval, with the agreed-upon minimum production cost set at ₹125 crore. However, the producer alleges that the director and his associates submitted forged documents, showing inflated costs and diverting a significant portion of the funds.
The court, considering the seriousness of the allegations, instructed the Bandra police to register a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 120B (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery), 471 (fraud), 500 (defamation), and 506 (criminal intimidation). Bhagnani had initially approached the Bandra police station with his complaint, but no action was taken, prompting him to seek legal recourse.
The case has sent shockwaves through the film industry, with the involvement of well-known figures, and highlights the potential risks of financial misconduct in the high-stakes world of Bollywood productions.
