Pooja Entertainment Office Remains Unsold, Set For Luxury Redevelopment: Vashu Bhagnani

Veteran producer Vashu Bhagnani clarified on Tuesday that his building is being redeveloped, not sold to clear debts. He addressed media reports suggesting the Juhu-based office of Pooja Entertainment was sold to settle a Rs 250 crore debt. Bhagnani, who recently backed the action movie "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan" featuring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, stated that the building remains under his ownership.

The production house faced accusations of non-payment of dues and laying off most of its staff. Addressing these claims, Bhagnani said: "The building (office space) that people are talking about hasn't been sold to anyone, it belongs to me even now. We are only redeveloping it into a tower that will house luxury homes. This was planned 1.5 years ago."

Bhagnani also dismissed rumours about laying off employees. He mentioned that their team has remained consistent for a decade. "We've had the same team working with us for 10 years, we haven't asked anyone to leave," he added. Bhagnani is known for producing hits like "Coolie No 1", "Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya", and "Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai".

Despite recent box office failures such as "Bell Bottom" (2021), "Mission Raniganj" and "Ganapath" (both 2023 releases), Bhagnani remains committed to his projects. He noted that redevelopment plans were in place long before the release of "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan".

Regarding financial disputes, Bhagnani urged claimants to engage directly with Pooja Entertainment. He said: "If there are people who claim that we owe them money, they should come forward and talk to us." He questioned whether these individuals have proper contracts or have filed any legal cases.

Bhagnani emphasised resolving issues through dialogue rather than social media rants. He stated: "If there is an issue, we will resolve it. Nobody is running away. Please come to my office, talk to us, give us your documents, and give us 60 days to figure things out."

The producer also highlighted their collaborations with UK-based production companies, suggesting those owed money should contact them directly if necessary. Bhagnani concluded by asserting he would not succumb to pressure or blackmail.

In summary, Vashu Bhagnani clarified misconceptions about his property and addressed financial allegations against Pooja Entertainment. He remains focused on ongoing projects and encourages open communication for resolving disputes.