Neerja producers issue clarification on cheating accusation by the Bhanot family
Mumbai: The film based on the life of brave heart Neerja Bhanot, ‘Neerja’, played by Sonam Kapoor, not only succeeded in getting critical acclaims but also got acknowledged and honoured with many prestigious awards, including Sonam Kapoor bagging the Best Actress Award at the 64th National Film Awards.
Later, a year after its release, the Bhanot family accused the makers of the film for not sticking to their commitment to sharing 10% of its Box office collections with the Neerja Bhanot trust and her family and were miffed.
Recently, a tabloid reported that the Bhanots moved to Chandigarh High Court accusing them of criminal conspiracy, and the court has scheduled the next hearing session for Friday, June 30.
The petition also claimed that the producers have conducted a planned conspiracy and dishonestly induced the family members of late Rama Bhanot (Neerja’s mother) with the intention of wrongful gains to themselves.
However, Fox Star Studios issued a statement on this disagreement between Blingg Unplugged and the Bhanot Family:
The statement reads:
Fox Star Studios is extremely proud of its film ‘Neerja’ and holds the Bhanot family in great esteem. However, the facts are that the Studios does not have any contractual obligations towards the Bhanot family as the life rights and permissions were obtained by Blingg Unplugged from the Late Neerja Bhanot's family long before Fox Star Studios came onboard to produce the film. Fox Star Studios has been duly honouring its contractual obligations towards Blingg Unplugged. It's unfortunate that Blingg and Bhanot family have not been able to resolve their disagreements. The life story of Neerja Bhanot inspired the nation and the movie created history, created memories that we deeply cherish, memories that will last forever. We hope for quick resolution to the ongoing issue.
Co-producer of the film, Atul Kasbekar (Blingg Unplugged) had issued a statement in the past too, claiming that all the accusations made by the Bhanot family were false.
