A few days ago, producer Kumar Mangat Pathak had talked about his bad experience with Akshay Khanna, after which he was eventually replaced by Jaideep Ahlawat. scene 3In an exclusive conversation with IHNSNow, writer-director Manish Gupta has spoken about his experience while working with Khanna section 375,
Manish Gupta criticized Akshay Khanna for his ‘unprofessional behaviour’ during Section 375, he also accused Kumar Mangat Pathak of ‘removing’ him as the director of the film as per the demand of the stalwart actor.
Akshaye Khanna worked with you section 375What was that experience like?
Akshay signed my film in 2017 section 375 With me as director-writer and Kumar Mangat as producer. His fee was fixed at Rs 100. 2 crores. He took Rs 1000 in advance. 21 lakhs, and he signed a contract with us. But suddenly, the dates they promised us were given to another film The Accidental Prime Minister And he went to London to shoot that film, which made me and my crew wait in vain for six months!
He left you helpless for six months?
This is correct. Then after finishing that film, Akshay came back and started demanding money. 3.25 crores. Instead of Rs. 2 crores in the contract signed by him. Thus he breached his contract. Akshay’s unreasonable demands did not end here.
What were their other demands?
He wanted to have complete control over the film and wanted everything to be done his way. But I am not the kind of director who bows to an actor’s wishes. I stood up to Akshay’s inappropriate behaviour. But sadly, most of the directors in Bollywood bow down to every wish of the actor.
This is true. Akshay was only following A-listers who direct directors
Since taking orders from an authoritarian director like me was hurting Akshay’s ego, he started pressurizing producer Kumar Mangat to remove me from the post of director of the film and give him (Akshay) complete control of the film in his place.
But is Ajay Bahl’s name as director in the film?
Producer Kumar Mangat, instead of disciplining the actor’s inappropriate behaviour, scapegoated me and removed me from the director’s post, while confiscating my completely written bound script and my hard drive of three years of hard work on pre-production.
Didn’t you take them to court?
I warned Akshay that I would drag him to court, and I sent two legal notices to producer Kumar Mangat. My lawyers Naik Naik & Co. were filing a case against both of them in the Bombay High Court, but Kumar Mangat immediately settled with me out of court. Today, it is ironic that producer Kumar Mangat has to bear the brunt of Akshay’s unethical behavior in the Ajay Devgan starrer film. scene 3Mangat has taken legal action against Akshay.
Do you also like Akshay Khanna’s acting like me? stalwart Over-hyped?
There is no doubt that Akshay is a brilliant actor. I’m just pointing out their lack of morality. Akshay’s comeback film after remaining anonymous for a decade was ‘Meri Film’ section 375 But this is how he repaid me for giving me such a beautiful script. still, section 375My name is mentioned in the credits as the sole writer of ‘story, screenplay and dialogues’. So, the world knows that this film was completely my vision.
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Kumar Mangat Pathak confirms Jaideep Ahlawat’s entry in Drishyam 3: “We have got a better actor than Akshay Khanna and most importantly, we have got a better person than Akshay”
