Renowned Bollywood director Ali Abbas Zafar, known for delivering blockbusters with Salman Khan, finds himself embroiled in legal trouble over his recent film ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’.
The film, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, is at the centre of a financial storm after producer Vashu Bhagnani accused Zafar of misappropriating funds through offshore accounts and benami companies.
Bhagnani has claimed that substantial amounts of the film’s financing were routed through shell companies and used in alleged money laundering operations.
Acting on a court directive, the Mumbai Police has registered a case and initiated a formal investigation into the matter.
In a public statement, Bhagnani alleged that a company registered in Abu Dhabi—Jolly Jumper Films LLC—was actually operated out of Mumbai’s Andheri area.
He claims the company served as a front for channelling subsidies and payments, calling it a benami setup.
Bhagnani accuses Zafar and his associates, Himanshu Mehra and Akshay Ranadive, of inflating the film’s budget using forged invoices and misusing government subsidies.
Bhagnani has warned that if the financial records provided are not satisfactory, he may escalate the matter to the Economic Offences Wing, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and even the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
A Legal Battle Brewing
The dispute reportedly dates back over 18 months, with Bhagnani initially filing a complaint with the Bandra police.
After limited action, he approached the court, which instructed the police to register a case in December 2024.
The authorities are investigating both civil and criminal cases as the matter unfolds.
Bhagnani alleges that Zafar fraudulently inflated the film’s budget by ₹70–80 crore using fake documents and diverted payments to UK-based BMCM Ltd. and firms in the Middle East.
Ali Abbas Zafar has strongly denied all accusations, asserting that he is, in fact, owed money by Bhagnani.
According to media reports, Zafar has initiated legal proceedings to claim his pending dues, framing the issue as a financial disagreement rather than criminal misconduct.
This case has sparked fresh conversations about financial transparency in Bollywood.
With Bade Miyan Chote Miyan failing to meet box office expectations despite a ₹400 crore budget, tension between producers and investors has spilt into the public domain.
As authorities dig deeper, many in the industry fear the inquiry could widen, potentially implicating other high-profile figures.
The coming weeks will determine whether this controversy remains a contractual dispute—or explodes into a full-blown financial scandal.
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