EXCLUSIVE: Producer Alleges Rs 4 Crore Advance to Bachchan in Unreleased Film Dispute
In a significant development within India's film industry, producer Shailendra Singh has made serious allegations regarding the unreleased project Shoebite, originally titled Johnny Walker. Singh, whose production credits include acclaimed films such as Page 3 and Traffic Signal, claims he personally paid legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan an advance of Rs 4 crore for the film. According to his account, the project was subsequently renamed and allegedly resold to UTV's Ronnie Screwvala by filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, despite Singh's prior financial commitment. This revelation sheds light on the complex contractual and financial disputes that can entangle major productions. The case highlights ongoing tensions between creative development and commercial negotiations in Bollywood, raising questions about intellectual property rights and advance payment protocols involving A-list talent. Industry analysts are monitoring the situation for potential legal ramifications and its impact on future production agreements.