Ash's Gucci Shades hurt Sarkar Raj

MUMBAI: Ramgopal Varma's Sarkar Raj has run into trouble again. Raju Shah, a film financier, has filed a complaint with the Indian Motion Pictures Distribution Association (IMPDA) saying K Sera Sera, co-producers of the film, owe him money. The association has ruled in Shah's favour.

The film may now have a problem being released in the Mumbai territory, its main market. The film has been planned for a big print release in Mumbai territory.

Shah filed a complaint claiming that K Sera Sera, co-producers of Sarkar Raj, had borrowed Rs 2 crore from his company at the time of the making of Chal Chala Chal and the Bobby Deol-starrer Ek and has not yet returned the money.

At a meeting held at the IMPDA office last week, a decision was taken that K Sera Sera will have to clear the amount or the film would not be registered on the distributor's name (Raksha Distributors in this case).

"They will have to clear the amount or the film will not be registered in the distributors' name which will mean that the film may not release in Mumbai territory," said a member of IMPDA who was present at the meeting.

However, an IMPDA insider said, "Raju Shah is misusing the distribution agreement which was against the finance he gave K Sera Sera during the making of films Chal Chala Chal and Ek but the association is helpless and has had to ask the company to clear his dues."

When contacted the film financier said, "I would not like to comment on the issue."

Ramesh Sippy, who heads IMPDA and is also the worldwide distributor of Sarkar Raj, said, "Yes, Raju Shah had filed a complaint against K Sera Sera over pending dues, the latter has promised to clear the amount soon." Sippy was confident that the film would not have a problem releasing in Mumbai.

( bharati.dubey@timesgroup.com)