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Several actresses in Juhi Chawla-Madhuri Dixit's film on domestic violence are fighting their own battle with the producers over unpaid dues
The film is based on the real life story of a group of women in Uttar Pradesh, led by one Sampat Pal, who fought domestic violence in the state. Ironically though, in Soumik Sen's Gulab Gang, where Madhuri Dixit plays the lead role of Sampat, three actresses who form part of her group, are battling odds of a different kind - non payment of dues to be precise.
We've learnt the trio, who is working closely with Madhuri and has so far shot two schedules in Mumbai, has been paid only the signing amount till date. Apparently, the actresses were given an assurance in the beginning that they would be paid the remaining amount - nearly Rs 2 lakh per person - after completion of the second schedule. However, it's been a while since the second schedule got over and the makers have yet to keep their promise.
The actresses say they've requested the makers for their dues nearly four to five times but their plea has fallen on deaf ears. They were particularly upset when they found out that the rest of the crew had the time and significantly, the money, to party in Lonavla, while conveniently leaving them behind.
We tried getting in touch with Soumik and producer Anubhav Sinha, but neither reverted to our text messages.
One of the three actresses told us on condition of anonymity, "We have completed two schedules, but have just got the signing amount. We were going to get the next payment in January. Meanwhile, rehearsals are going on every day. We are continuing only because it happens to be a film with Madhuri. The makers have failed to honour their commitment."
With reference to the Lonavala incident, she said, "I understand the director is not supposed to take care of such things, but he and his team went out to party after the second schedule. I don't think they have budget issues and even if they do, they should let us know. All we want is a time limit as to when they will release the payment. After all, money is the motivation that keeps us going."
The next schedule will be shot in Satara in Maharashtra.
The film is based on the real life story of a group of women in Uttar Pradesh, led by one Sampat Pal, who fought domestic violence in the state. Ironically though, in Soumik Sen's Gulab Gang, where Madhuri Dixit plays the lead role of Sampat, three actresses who form part of her group, are battling odds of a different kind - non payment of dues to be precise.
We've learnt the trio, who is working closely with Madhuri and has so far shot two schedules in Mumbai, has been paid only the signing amount till date. Apparently, the actresses were given an assurance in the beginning that they would be paid the remaining amount - nearly Rs 2 lakh per person - after completion of the second schedule. However, it's been a while since the second schedule got over and the makers have yet to keep their promise.
The actresses say they've requested the makers for their dues nearly four to five times but their plea has fallen on deaf ears. They were particularly upset when they found out that the rest of the crew had the time and significantly, the money, to party in Lonavla, while conveniently leaving them behind.
We tried getting in touch with Soumik and producer Anubhav Sinha, but neither reverted to our text messages.
One of the three actresses told us on condition of anonymity, "We have completed two schedules, but have just got the signing amount. We were going to get the next payment in January. Meanwhile, rehearsals are going on every day. We are continuing only because it happens to be a film with Madhuri. The makers have failed to honour their commitment."
With reference to the Lonavala incident, she said, "I understand the director is not supposed to take care of such things, but he and his team went out to party after the second schedule. I don't think they have budget issues and even if they do, they should let us know. All we want is a time limit as to when they will release the payment. After all, money is the motivation that keeps us going."
The next schedule will be shot in Satara in Maharashtra.
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