Last week, the media and industry were shocked by a press conference where Sorav Gupta claimed that multiple times he had given money to Sunny Deol with the expectation that he would perform at his production house, Sundawn Entertainment Pvt Ltd. Moreover, it has been stated that Sunny did not make any movie for him. Also in this press briefing Gadar 2 (2023) star was subjected to other astonishing allegations.
In the face of accusations of swindling and forgery against Sunny Deol. Advocate Rizwan Merchant and producer Vishal Rana rebuffed them: “Sunny ji is a big name in Bollywood while they have never contributed anything.”
However advocate Rizwan Merchant representing Sunny Deol dismissed these claims through a press conference on June 1st. At the instance, Barrister (Advocate) Rizwan Merchant then said “…No case has been filed against Sunny Deol…There is only an ordinary complaint issued which could be against anyone…” The police will investigate; according to Supreme Court guidelines. They are required to record statements from both complainant and non-complainant. I am using non-applicant instead of accused because there’s no FIR. Only after an FIR can you tag a person as accused.’
“We have made note of all points raised in complaint.” As far as contents are concerned; neither worth FIR nor cognizable offence” Then the lawyer continued by saying,
“By August 2016 Sorav Gupta had asked Deol for a film contract agreement based on mutual consent from both parties . Some clauses were put about Sorav Gupta’s company which he was expected to comply with particularly regarding payment. He had promised that he’s paying a certain amount and the balance payment will be done on specified dates in future.”
“When this didn’t happen, Sunny’soffice served notices on him as regards the producer failed to make payment.” Another notice was sent stating non-payment is breach of contract. Secondly, it is stated that Sunny Deol will terminate the agreement. Also in response to the above communication, Sorav kept mum. After that we sent another letter to the producer saying we are rescinding your agreement and forfeiting your amount because there’s a forfeiture clause in it. It was not our sole decision; it was consensual.”
Rizwan Merchant explained further that “The party has issues with the amount being forfeited.” They also claimed that Sunny Deol wanted changes in director and script. No records, all these are oral allegations. This is just an attempt to blackmail him into giving out money.
Again Rizwan Merchant brought up this: “We are also co-operating with police…Mr Deol has many other things to attend to right now…That complaint will dent his career for life, as well as his image, name and reputation may even impact negatively on his family…. He will go to any extent so as to assist police in proving his case…” Mr Gupta should not feel by any stretch of imagination that he can arm-twist Mr Deol into submission by any means whatsoever.”
Even Sunny Deol has been alleged to have turned over the contract and increased his charges. In reply, Rizwan Merchant said,“This is a complete false accusation. Mr Gupta actually took the contract by saying it will be signed by his wife. Which we have not got our hands on till date. The copy which we hold is with signature of Sunny Deol himself and not him or his wife. That means there’s no way you can say that he changed the contract page.”
Rizwan Merchant was present along with producer Vishal Rana too. It had happened when Sunny Deol said something to Sorav Gupta in front of me like this.
“I HAVE worked extensively with S.D I made two Films with him- No issues! He did Blank (2019) in 32 days, our upcoming untitled film in just 36 days without ever coming late or demanding money as they claim. And then there is a clause that he was comfortable with: if sunnyji doesn’t shoot. He will give back the money but if the producer does not start the shooting then sunny ji will not return it.”
Vishal said, “Sunny ji and Dharam ji have done so much for this industry but these people are worthless for this film industry as well; they only want to misuse somebody’s stardom.”
He further added, “These are financiers and investors who are financing films and not producers. Also stories genres and filmmaking styles keep changing constantly so if I say now that one actor narrated a story to me in 2016 and now that guy would work with me after four years; then mujhse bada bewakoof koi nahin hai because abhi ke zamane mein voh baat nahi chalti yaar … What used to work in 2019 won’t work in 2024 at all… If I sign an actor without script or director, I cannot force him to do any film. They were giving him scripts and directors but Sunny ji was not okay with it. Blank was also made by me, I had a bound script ready and my director had come on board before he signed.”
Vishal Rana’s name too has been mentioned in the complaint that he signed a film called Ram Janmabhoomi only to increase the fees after Gadar 2 became hit. He narrated, “Unko uss kahani se koi lena dena nahin hai. Sunny ji told me, ‘They don’t know how to produce. You should help him’. I agreed. It is also important to note that they are financiers and Sunny ji gave them the story. If he never wanted to work, would have given them a script? This was their response; ‘You are our idol. We grew up watching your films. We don’t want our money back’.”
In response to Suneel Darshan’s complaint that Sunny never paid him the full amount of money earned from overseas distribution of their movie Ajay (1996). Rizwan Merchant claimed that it is under judicial process adding that “I’d like to stay away from it.” When asked if Mr Deol would file for defamation this time around. He advised, “I can’t comment on it right now.”
Rizwan finished by saying, “He (Sorav Gupta) approached the media just to extort money from Sunny Deol so please don’t allow him.”
