3 July 2024 Punjab Khabarnama : Actor Tiger Shroff has stepped forward to provide financial assistance to focus puller CH Ravi Kumar, following the report by reporter .com that the production company Pooja Entertainment has not yet paid its cast and crew. Kumar, who worked on the film Mere Husband Ki Biwi directed by Mudassar Aziz and produced by Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky, had suffered an injury a few months ago and was facing difficulties in paying his expenses. Tiger Shroff was also involved in the film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, which was produced by Pooja Entertainment.
After the report by indianexpress.com stating that Pooja Entertainment has not fulfilled their payment obligations to the crew members involved in the movies, including Kumar, the focus puller personally informed reporter about the recent update. He mentioned that Tiger was very kind to come forward after reading about his situation. Although the production still hasn’t paid him, Tiger intervened. Yesterday, Tiger’s parents called him and he had a conversation with them. He also mentioned that many years ago, Jackie sir (actor Jackie Shroff) had helped his brother who got injured while working on a film.. I’m touched by Tiger’s gesture and this is a huge respite for me.” While Ravi Kumar refused to reveal the exact amount that Tiger gave him, he said that it was “in lakhs.”
On June 29, indianexpress.com reported that Kumar received a partial payment after he requested them to settle his outstanding balance due to a serious illness in his family. Despite making several requests, he did not receive the complete payment.
He mentioned that the balance was Rs 1,56,000. Subsequently, he had an accident in June and contacted the individual in the production house who assured him of payment but never fulfilled it. He was then provided with another contact number, but there was still no response. Being bedridden for eight months, he depleted his insurance funds and had to take a loan to cover his hospital expenses. Despite being in the hospital, he continued to make calls, but only received excuses. As a focus puller, he is now facing difficulty in finding sufficient work due to his inability to walk normally after the accident.
He mentioned that his Head of Department (HoD) was filming with Akshay Kumar for a different movie when he contacted them. He explained that he called them because a Pooja Entertainment executive had spoken to him rudely while he was still in bed, which deeply affected him. After some discussions, they paid him Rs 50,000, but the remaining amount of Rs 1,06,000 is still unpaid. He emphasized that this is a significant sum for someone like him, and it often causes him to break down emotionally as it could greatly assist him.
Not only Ravi Kumar, but many cast and crew members who are associated with films produced by Pooja Entertainments have not received their payments. In an exclusive report, indianexpress.com has discovered that the main stars of the movie Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, such as Tiger Shroff, Sonakshi Sinha, Alaya F, and Manushi Chhillar, are also waiting for their payments.
The film’s actors (Sonakshi, Alaya, and Manushi) have not received their payment despite completing their work on the film and requesting it multiple times. They also promoted the film out of commitment, but no payment has been made.