|
Mohanlal irked with Ram Gopal Varma
Filmmaker admits to mistake in breach of payment towards the actor
|
Subhash K Jha
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma and Malayalam superstar Mohanlal were thick as thieves during the making of the former's much acclaimed Company . The actor could not stop praising the director.
Varma reciprocated in kind, going as far as to say, "Lal is the best actor and human being I have ever worked with."
Now, suddenly, things have soured between them. Mohanlal has filed a case against Varma's production house for breach of payment. Why was a mild-mannered actor gentleman like Mohanlal forced to take such drastic action?
The actor explains, "When Ramu and the producers of Company quoted a fee to me, I said I cannot do the film for the quoted fee, but I would do the film for free since I had the highest regard for Ramu as a filmmaker. I then agreed to the price they quoted because they insisted on paying me. Now, after trying to get in touch with Ramu for five months to get back my fee, I finally decided to sue the three producers of Company, Ram Gopal Varma, Boney Kapoor and Ashwini Dutt.
"Ramu's response was, 'Okay, do it, Lal'," continues Mohanlal. "He didn't have the courtesy to call me even once. I was put on to his cousin (Shekhar), and the way this gentleman spoke to me..."
When I inform Mohanlal that one of Company's producers Boney Kapoor, is said to be in serious financial trouble, he retorts, "What should I do about it, sir? When my brother-in-law met him, Kapoor promised to settle my dues. I have lost count of the number of times I have called and messaged Ramu. If he only had the courtesy to respond to my messages and told me frankly that he was not in a position to pay me, I would have written off my dues, although Rs 14 lakhs is a lot of money for me. Now it is no longer my problem. My auditors and lawyers are looking into it. It is so sad. One call from Ramu would have been enough. Now it is too late."
The question is, who actually owes Mohanlal money? Ram Gopal Varma or Boney Kapoor? Apparently, the third production partner Ashwini Dutt gave a cheque to Mohanlal which bounced. When Mohanlal called Varma's office, he was put through to Varma's cousin Shekhar(who now no longer works for Varma). Shekhar curtly told Mohanlal to contact Boney Kapoor.
Since Kapoor would not take Mohanlal's calls, the actor filed a case against all three producers of Company.
Ram Gopal Varma seems dazed by the turn of events. "My name is being brought into this matter, though I am not directly involved. Basically it is an issue involving me and my two partners Boney Kapoor and Ashwini Dutt. I am sure Mohanlal must be very hurt. It is a small sum of money. It is possible Mohanlal tried to get in touch with me. I am not aware of this. Sometimes miscommunications do happen.
"Mohanlal's cheque bounced," Varma continues, "but I was not aware of it. Now I do feel morally responsible, especially since he is hurt and upset, and rightly so. It is entirely my fault that matters reached such a head. And I am truly sorry for hurting a senior actor. The matter will be taken care of."
Varma has since communicated his regret over the matter to Mohanlal. But the legal battle is on. Says he, "I have told Mohanlal not to let this incident sour our friendship."
Earlier Interview:
A portrait of Mohanlal
Related Interviews:
Ram Gopal Varma on Company
More Ram Gopal Varma on Company
Sit up, take note for Ajay Devgan
Vivek Oberoi: bold, intelligent uncensored
Crime pays for Vivek Oberoi!
Hard target Manisha
Urmila Matondkar on her undefinable role in Company
Seema Biswas on Company
Related Features:
Mohanlal is hero of Company!
All you need to know about Company
The Manisha phenomenon
On the sets of Company
The Fast and the Furious: a Slide Show
Related Columns:
Deepa Gahlot on glorifying mafia in Bollywood
|