ITA sues truant Balaji actors

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Posted: 19 years ago

ITA sues truant Balaji actors

Usha Thomas

Legal notices dispatched to six actors for violating contractual obligations to HHITA awards show

Rumours were abuzz that Ektaa Kapoor had instructed her actors to withdraw from performing at the sixth Hero Honda Indian Television Academy Awards (HHITA) and that she wanted to know the winner's list before the event leading to a huge fallout with Anu Ranjan, president, ITA. And now, Anu and Shashi Ranjan, the convenors of ITA, have accused Balaji Telefilms and the six concerned actors of putting them through stress and unethical demonstration of clout being the biggest production house in the television industry.

Shashi says, "I have issued legal notices through my lawyer to Balaji Telefilms and the six actors who played truant just two days before the event." Stating that Vikas Sethi, Roshni Chopra, Prachi Desai, Jennifer Winget, Sanjit Bedi and Ram Kapoor were sent notices, their lawyer Krishna Vibhav elaborates, "These artistes were contractually bound to us to perform on November 25 and had been attending rehearsals for the same till November 23. Suddenly, they say that they have shooting schedules and will not be coming for the rehearsals or the event."

From the actors involved, Roshni Chopra says, "Certain scenes in 'Kasam Se' (Zee) needed to be shot and we were asked to withdraw from the event. I have yet to receive the notice but am sure the concerned parties will come to an amicable solution." Prachi Desai, too, said she had to complete certain scenes but admitted to having received the notice.

Anu says she even had a word with Ektaa. "I told her that if I knew of the actor's prior commitments, I wouldn't have taken them in first place. Ektaa said she was not aware as her mother (Shobhaa Kapoor) said they have deadlines to meet and can't make it. Ektaa has since called saying she wants to meet me. But what irked me is that one doesn't try to take away from the people who made you. It's pathetic and unethical. Besides, those who you don't see, you don't miss," says Anu.

"This is unprofessional after signing contracts and taking cheques from us. Also, releasing the winners list is absurd and we did not succumb to the pressure," adds Krishna.

Ram Kapoor and Prachi Desai only attended the event to collect their awards. "Maybe, Zee put pressure on them as it was one of the sponsors," says Anu signing off. Ektaa was unavailable for comment.