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UTV slams notice on Gauri Pradhan
The production house sues its 'Special Squad' actress for
defamation; asks for monetary compensation or a public apology
By Reena Thapar Kapoor
A while ago actress Gauri Pradhan accused production house UTV of
not clearing her dues for the sitcom, Special Squad. The actress
went to the press and lambasted UTV for stalling other actors'
payments as well. But UTV has now retaliated. Apparently, the
production house has filed a defamation case against Pradhan.
The director of UTV, Roland D'Mello had this to say: "To begin with,
actors have realised that the press is always accessible to them.
Gauri's allegation about UTV not paying her money is untrue." The
man who has been in the profession for the past 15 years says that
money matters are supposed to be resolved between the two concerned
parties.
"Going to the press is not going to help. Unless, it's their way of
getting publicity. Gauri's payment for Special Squad was due in
November 2005 and we have records to prove that. (The actress
incidentally made claims of non-payment before time). She should
have waited until the end of the month before taking a prestigious
company like UTV to task."
The production house says that it didn't have a pleasant working
relationship with Pradhan to begin with. "She had cancelled a shoot
more than three times. And she'd report late for work. In
circumstances like these, who bears the brunt? We've incurred huge
losses due to her tantrums and high-handed behaviour."
So, what do they expect from her now? "We've sued her for tarnishing
UTV's reputation. Either she has to pay the said amount or give a
written apology in print."
Incidentally, this isn't the first time that UTV has been blamed for
stalling its actors' payments. In the past, Kamiya Punjabi, Jiten
Lalwani and Vaishnavi have had similar problems. What does D'Mello
have to say in defence of his company?
"I admit that there are some money matters that need to be sorted
out with certain actors. But if I have no records of actors who
insist that UTV owes them money, I certainly can't help them.
Barring a few actors like Gauri Pradhan, UTV has had a pleasant
working relationship with most of them."
When contacted, Pradhan said, "I've already said whatever I had to
about this issue. I've been asked by my lawyers to not make any
comment on this as it is a legal issue. I'll talk when the time is
right."
* Gauri's allegation is untrue. Her payment for Special Squad was
due in November 2005 and we have records to prove that.– Roland
D'Mello.
The production house sues its 'Special Squad' actress for
defamation; asks for monetary compensation or a public apology
By Reena Thapar Kapoor
A while ago actress Gauri Pradhan accused production house UTV of
not clearing her dues for the sitcom, Special Squad. The actress
went to the press and lambasted UTV for stalling other actors'
payments as well. But UTV has now retaliated. Apparently, the
production house has filed a defamation case against Pradhan.
The director of UTV, Roland D'Mello had this to say: "To begin with,
actors have realised that the press is always accessible to them.
Gauri's allegation about UTV not paying her money is untrue." The
man who has been in the profession for the past 15 years says that
money matters are supposed to be resolved between the two concerned
parties.
"Going to the press is not going to help. Unless, it's their way of
getting publicity. Gauri's payment for Special Squad was due in
November 2005 and we have records to prove that. (The actress
incidentally made claims of non-payment before time). She should
have waited until the end of the month before taking a prestigious
company like UTV to task."
The production house says that it didn't have a pleasant working
relationship with Pradhan to begin with. "She had cancelled a shoot
more than three times. And she'd report late for work. In
circumstances like these, who bears the brunt? We've incurred huge
losses due to her tantrums and high-handed behaviour."
So, what do they expect from her now? "We've sued her for tarnishing
UTV's reputation. Either she has to pay the said amount or give a
written apology in print."
Incidentally, this isn't the first time that UTV has been blamed for
stalling its actors' payments. In the past, Kamiya Punjabi, Jiten
Lalwani and Vaishnavi have had similar problems. What does D'Mello
have to say in defence of his company?
"I admit that there are some money matters that need to be sorted
out with certain actors. But if I have no records of actors who
insist that UTV owes them money, I certainly can't help them.
Barring a few actors like Gauri Pradhan, UTV has had a pleasant
working relationship with most of them."
When contacted, Pradhan said, "I've already said whatever I had to
about this issue. I've been asked by my lawyers to not make any
comment on this as it is a legal issue. I'll talk when the time is
right."
* Gauri's allegation is untrue. Her payment for Special Squad was
due in November 2005 and we have records to prove that.– Roland
D'Mello.
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