The ongoing feud between producer Vashu Bhagnani and director Ali Abbas Zafar over the film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff has taken a grave turn. In a video interview with news agency ANI on Monday, Vashu Bhagnani levelled fresh and severe allegations of financial misconduct against Zafar and his team, accusing them of large-scale money laundering through a Benami (proxy-owned) company and inflating the film’s budget by a staggering amount. Bhagnani has confirmed that he has filed a police complaint and is now preparing to take the matter to central investigative agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The producer, who is the head of Pooja Entertainment, has claimed that the financial irregularities are far more extensive than a simple business dispute. He has stated his primary goal is not to recover money but to expose the truth so that no other producer has to suffer a similar fate.
Allegations of Financial Irregularities and a ‘Benami’ Firm
Vashu Bhagnani’s core allegation centres on a company named Jolly Jumper Films LLC, which he claims is a Benami entity. According to Bhagnani, while the company is officially registered in Abu Dhabi, it is allegedly operated out of a location in Andheri, Mumbai. In the interview, he explained the initial arrangement with Ali Abbas Zafar and his collaborator Himanshu Mehra under their banner, AAZ Films.
“Our collaboration on the film was straightforward—I financed the project, and they handled the production and direction,” Bhagnani explained. He further revealed that it was only two months ago that he learned about Jolly Jumper Films LLC. “I found out that the company is registered under the name of his assistant and is being operated discreetly,” he alleged. Bhagnani believes this company was used as a vehicle for large-scale money laundering and illicit financial transactions related to the film.
Vashu Bhagnani alleges money laundering through benami properties by Ali Abbas Zafar, plans to knock doors of ED
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/saAPqgL2Yv#VashuBhagnani #AliAbbasZafar #ED #moneylaundering #benamiProperties pic.twitter.com/pmTj3wOLCN
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) September 8, 2025
Furthermore, Bhagnani has accused the director and his team of inflating the final budget of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan by an astounding ₹80 crore. He alleged that for the past 11 months, his repeated requests for the final financial statements have been consistently ignored by their accountants. He also alleged that the team has been spreading rumours in the industry that they were only the directors and not the producers, to absolve themselves of financial responsibility.
Legal Action and the Pursuit of Justice
The producer has confirmed that he has already taken concrete legal steps against Zafar and his team. A formal complaint has been filed at the Bandra Police Station, which has resulted in the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). This police complaint is the first phase of what Bhagnani indicates will be a multi-pronged legal battle.
Vashu Bhagnani stated his intent to escalate the matter to higher authorities. Bhagnani said he now plans to reach out to the ED, EOW, and CBI, adding that his primary concern is not reclaiming the money but ensuring the truth comes out, preventing future producers from suffering the same fate. The involvement of these central investigative agencies would elevate the dispute from a civil matter to a serious criminal investigation, which could have far-reaching implications for all parties involved.
A Contentious History and an Unfolding Saga
The financial dispute between the two film entities is not entirely new. The row first came to public light a few months ago when Ali Abbas Zafar and other crew members from the film accused Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment of non-payment of dues. This led to a public back-and-forth, with both sides filing complaints against each other.
However, the latest allegations of money laundering and Benami properties mark a significant escalation, as they involve serious financial crimes. As of the time of this report, Ali Abbas Zafar has not issued a public statement or responded to the fresh allegations levelled against him by Vashu Bhagnani. The film industry is watching this high-profile legal battle with great interest, as it could set a precedent for how financial disputes and accountability are handled in large-scale film productions.
