In a significant legal victory for Bollywood producer Vashu Bhagnani, the Hon'ble Judicial Magistrate Bandra, Mumbai, has directed the Bandra Police Station to file an FIR against director Ali Abbas Zafar, co-producer Himanshu Mehra, and others involved in the making of the 2024 multi-starrer Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. The FIR will be filed under several serious charges, including cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and defamation.
This legal battle dates back to September 2024, when Vashu Bhagnani filed a complaint with the Bandra Police Station, accusing Ali Abbas Zafar and Himanshu Mehra of defrauding him of crores of rupees. Bhagnani alleged that they had falsified and forged his signatures during the production of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Despite Bhagnani’s initial complaint, no action was taken by the police, prompting him to approach the Bandra Metropolitan Magistrate Court for further legal intervention.
On December 2, 2024, the court ruled in favor of Bhagnani, recognizing the seriousness of the charges and directing the Bandra Police Station to file an FIR. The charges include Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using a forged document), 500 (criminal defamation), 506 (criminal intimidation), and Section 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court also acknowledged the extensive scale of the alleged fraud, which involved multiple transactions across various locations, further intensifying the gravity of the charges.
The court's ruling marks a critical step in Bhagnani's pursuit of justice, as it ensures that the case will now move forward with a full investigation. The legal proceedings are likely to bring further attention to the controversies surrounding the production of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. The film, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and starring major Bollywood names, had already sparked public discussions due to its large-scale production and subsequent issues.
The Hon'ble Court emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, citing the involvement of several documents and agencies. With the serious nature of the allegations and the non-bailable offenses involved, the court’s order highlights the urgency for an in-depth probe into the matter.
As the case progresses, all eyes are now on how the legal proceedings unfold, and whether they will lead to the swift resolution of the charges. The introduction of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (2023), which aims to expedite justice and increase accountability in investigations, offers hope that Bhagnani’s case will receive timely attention, ensuring that the criminal justice system remains victim-centric and transparent.
This development not only reaffirms Vashu Bhagnani’s resolve to seek justice but also brings back the focus on the controversy surrounding Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. With the legal wheels in motion, it remains to be seen how the accused parties will respond, and what consequences this legal battle will have for the future of the film and its makers.