Court raps Bol Bachchan Film producers for dud cheques, Bombay

One of the leading production houses in Bollywood is in serious legal and financial muddle. Ashtavinayak, the producers of money churners such as Jab We Met and the Golmaal franchise were dragged to court by financer Raju Shah after they failed to clear his dues of Rs 41 crore and several cheques were dishonoured.

On Friday the Bombay High Court pronounced the company a ‘defaulter,’ and directed Ashtavinayak to disclose all its agreements signed for Bol Bachchan. According to the court order (copy with this newspaper), Shah is also entitled to Ashtavinayak’s earnings from Bol Bachchan and its various rights, since their cheques to him have bounced. Besides, the company has been barred from selling its shares of five subsidiary companies, till Shah’s dues are cleared. If that was not enough, Shah is now moving court that Ashtavinayak’s other assets including properties and film copyrights should be attached.

Confirming the developments, advocate Rajeev Narula who argued on behalf of Shah “Bombay High Court has passed the order, it is dated June 26, 2012.” What if Ashtavinayak does not comply? Said Rajeev, “They have no choice.”
Speaking to this paper, soon after the Court ruled the verdict in his favour, Shah’s son, Yash said: “We fail to understand how can a company which earned so much with the Golmaal franchise and Jab We Met not clear its dues.” Shah considers the court ruling as a moral victory. “I am relieved, justice has been done,” he said.

When contacted, Rupen Amlani, a senior member from board of Ashtavinayak’s directors, refused to comment. However a spokesperson of the company said: “No amount is due and payable to Raju Shah. That is why the court has not stopped the movie (Bol Bachchan).”