Filmmaker Raaj Shaandilyaa has officially terminated his contractual arrangement with Balaji Motion Pictures, the film production arm of Ektaa Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms. In a formal statement issued on Thursday, Shaandilyaa confirmed that he had exercised his contractual rights to end the association and had already issued a termination notice to Balaji Telefilms over two weeks ago.
According to the filmmaker, the production house has not initiated any civil legal proceedings challenging the termination during this period.
“If Balaji Telefilms believed it had any sustainable legal basis to challenge the termination, it was open to them to approach the appropriate civil court. No such proceedings have been initiated,” Shaandilyaa said in his statement.
The director further alleged that instead of pursuing civil remedies, attempts were being made to level criminal allegations against him, which he described as “exaggerated and baseless.”
“These accusations are wholly unfounded and appear to be nothing more than an attempt to intimidate and browbeat after having realised that there is no viable case to challenge the termination,” he stated.
Shaandilyaa maintained that he is confident about his legal position and will respond to any allegations through the appropriate legal channels.
Importantly for the trade, the filmmaker clarified that his upcoming project Bhagam Bhag 2 is unaffected by the dispute and continues to move forward as planned.
“It may also be clarified that the film Bhagam Bhag 2 is very much on track and the project will proceed as scheduled,” he said.
Shaandilyaa also urged members of the film and creative industry to take note of what he described as “pressure tactics” being employed in the situation and to draw their own conclusions when entering into future professional collaborations.
As of now, Balaji Telefilms has not publicly issued a response to the filmmaker’s statement.
Below is the complete official statement
RAAJ SHAANDILYAA
To Whomsoever It May Concern
I, Raaj Shaandilyaa, had, in accordance with my contractual rights, issued a notice
terminating my arrangement with Balaji Telefilms.
It has now been over two weeks since the termination notice was issued. If Balaji
Telefilms believed it had any sustainable legal basis to challenge the termination,
it was open to them to approach the appropriate civil court. No such proceedings
have been initiated.
Instead, what has now surfaced are attempts to level exaggerated and baseless
criminal allegations. These accusations are wholly unfounded and appear to be
nothing more than an attempt to intimidate and browbeat after having realised
that there is no viable case to challenge the termination.
I remain fully confident of my legal position and will address any such allegations
through the appropriate legal process.
It may also be clarified that the film Bhagam Bhag 2 is very much on track and the
project will proceed as scheduled.
Members of the film and creative industry may take note of the manner in which
such pressure tactics are being employed and draw their own conclusions when
deciding future professional associations.
Thanking you,
Raaj Shaandilyaa .