Shehzada makers haven't cleared film crew's dues of 30 lakhs: Report

When a film fails to make an impact, its repercussions are felt by everyone involved. Recent reports reveal that vendors associated with the movie 'Shehzada' are bearing the brunt, as their payments, amounting to approximately Rs 30 lakh, remain unpaid even after four months since the film's release. This delay in payment is contrary to the industry standard, which typically ensures that dues are settled within 60 to 90 days after the film's premiere.
A member of the film's directing team expressed concerns about the prolonged non-payment, emphasizing that such practices erode trust and discourage future collaborations with the producers.The member insisted that the situation calls for a realization among producers that timely remuneration is essential to maintain healthy working relationships.
Bollywood has been grappling with a financial crunch since the past year, with only a handful of films achieving success, leading to a significant decline in revenue and cash flow. In this context, a character actor from 'Shehzada' disclosed that he has been assured of receiving his payment in the upcoming week, depending on the production house receiving a subsidy from an overseas shoot. He also stressed the importance of prioritizing timely payments and adhering to the agreed-upon payment terms of 60 to 90 days.
The report further suggested that when budgets are constrained, filmmakers resort to cost-cutting measures, often resulting in delayed payments. This disruption in payment schedules adversely impacts the overall ecosystem of the industry.
Another vendor interviewed by the tabloid shed light on their reliance on punctual payments to sustain their businesses. Delayed payments can significantly impede a production house's operations. The vendor mentioned having already compensated their team, while they await a payment of over Rs 20 lakh from the film's producers.
Allu Entertainment, the production house responsible for 'Shehzada', released a statement clarifying that they have settled payments with all vendors, except for a few disputed bills with discrepancies, along with some pending GST-related issues. The movie featured Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon and Paresh Rawal in lead roles, and was directed by Rohit Dhawan.