After facing several setbacks in its release due to the coronavirus virus pandemic, when the makers of the much-awaited Bollywood film ’83 announced its theatrical release recently, everyone heaved a big sigh of relief. But as its release date approaches, the high-profile film has found itself in some unanticipated legal trouble.
Deepika Padukone, along with the makers of 83, has been dragged into a controversial case of alleged cheating. For the uninitiated, Padukone does not only play a key role in the film, but she is also attached as a co-producer along with Reliance Entertainment, Phantom Films, Vibri Media, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, and Kabir Khan Films.
According to a publication, a UAE-based financier approached the Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Mumbai and has filed a complaint against the makers of ’83, alleging that his company was promised good returns by Vibri Media after they invested approximately ₹16 crores.
However, their funds were directed into multiple agreements involving filmmakers like Kabir Khan, Sajid Nadiadwala, and Deepika Padukone, among others and the money was used for the production of ’83, without getting any written consent from the complainant.
Through the complaint, the complainant has sought for issuance of process against all the accused of allegedly committing offences under Sections 405, 406 (criminal breach of trust), 415, 418, 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
Directed by Kabir Khan, ’83 chronicles Indian cricket team’s unanticipated victory at the 1983 World Cup tournament in London. The film sees Ranveer Singh stepping into the shoes of Kapil Dev while Deepika Padukone plays his onscreen wife, Romi Bhatia.
’83 is due on December 24, 2021.