Netflix and Vashu Bhagnani dispute: EOW says OTT platform is not cooperating in probe into charges

The Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) has alleged that streaming platform Netflix is ​​unwilling to cooperate with the probe filed by Vashu Bhagnani into alleged non-payment of dues.

“This amount of Rs 47.37 Crores is owed by Netflix to the complainant Vashu Bhagnani. But Netflix doesn’t cooperate. We sent them two summonses, but they don’t show up. They have not responded to the letter we sent to them…,” Senior Inspector Ravindra Avhad, the investigating officer in the case, told Hindustan Times.

Vashu Bhagnani, who owns Pooja Entertainment, claimed that he did not receive Rs 47.37 crore from the streaming giant. However, Netflix has denied the claims and said that it is Vashu who owes him money.

A Netflix spokesperson dismissed Bhagnani’s claims, saying: “These claims are completely baseless. In fact, it is Pooja Entertainment that owes Netflix money. We have a strong track record of partnering with the Indian creative community and are working with the authorities to resolve this dispute.”

“I am not aware of what statement Netflix has given but aisa kuchh nahi hai,” Avhad said when asked about Netflix’s counter-claim against Bhagnanis.

The producer filed a complaint against Los Gatos Production Services India, which manages Netflix’s content investments in India, as well as Zoo Digital India and the executives of both companies. Additionally, reports suggest that the EOW has summoned the production services company for further investigation.

Bhagnani has been in the news for all the wrong reasons this year. The crew of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan accused him of not paying their dues after the film sold out at the box office. Earlier this month, the film’s director claimed that the producer had not paid his fees worth Rs 7.30 crore.

In their counter claim, Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky Bhagnani of Pooja Entertainment filed a complaint against filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar for allegedly withdrawing the subsidy money he received from Abu Dhabi authorities during the filming of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.

In her complaint, Bhagnanis alleged a fraud of Rs 9.50 crore on Zafar and alleged that Zafar used these funds through a shell company in Abu Dhabi.