Kajol's Cousin Monjoy Mukherjee Ordered to Pay Rs 23.73 Lakh in Film Investment Dispute
Monjoy Mukherjee, the cousin of renowned Bollywood actress Kajol and son of late actor Joy Mukherjee, is currently embroiled in a significant legal and financial controversy surrounding his 2016 directorial venture, 'Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara'. The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) and the Western India Film Producers’ Association (WIFPA) have intervened in a dispute between Mukherjee and an associate producer, resulting in a directive for the director to settle a substantial payment.
Investor Claims Unpaid Principal Amount from Film Deal
Ashwani Kumar, the associate producer of the film, recently disclosed to Mid-Day that he invested Rs 38.73 lakh in 'Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara' with an agreement for a 10 percent share in the movie's profits. According to Kumar, after the film's completion, he requested his principal investment back as per their contract. Mukherjee reportedly paid him Rs 15 lakh over time and proposed that Kumar take the rights to air the film on Doordarshan instead of further payments.
Frustrated by the unresolved balance, Kumar approached IMPPA last year to mediate the issue. The joint dispute settlement committee of IMPPA and WIFPA reviewed the case and subsequently instructed Monjoy Mukherjee to pay the remaining Rs 23.73 lakh to Ashwani Kumar, aiming to resolve the financial disagreement amicably.
Monjoy Mukherjee Presents His Version of Events
In response, Monjoy Mukherjee offered a contrasting account to the same publication. He asserted that a mutual agreement was reached for a settlement of Rs 20 lakh, out of which Rs 15 lakh had already been paid to Kumar. Mukherjee claimed that in 2023, he sent an email to Kumar offering the balance of Rs 5 lakh to close the matter definitively.
The director further explained that when Kumar decided to escalate the issue to IMPPA, the association suggested an alternative resolution: paying Ashwani Kumar Rs 5 lakh immediately and an additional Rs 5 lakh over a period of 15 months. However, Mukherjee stated that Kumar rejected this proposal as well, complicating the dispute further.
Adding to the legal intricacies, Mukherjee's lawyer, Sagar R Chabria, highlighted that they were not formally informed about any revised decisions made by the committee regarding the settlement, raising questions about procedural transparency in the resolution process.
Background on the Film 'Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara'
'Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara' is a feature film written and directed by Monjoy Joy Mukerji, released in theaters in 2016. The movie features a cast including Sahil Anand, Herry Tangiri, Vikram Kochhar, Nilesh Lalwani, Niyati Joshi, Divvya Chouksey, Jayaka Yagnik, and Sareh Far. Despite its release nearly a decade ago, the film has resurfaced in headlines due to this ongoing financial and legal tussle, shedding light on the challenges often faced in the film industry regarding investments and profit-sharing agreements.
This case underscores the complexities of film financing and the role of industry associations like IMPPA and WIFPA in mediating disputes. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Monjoy Mukherjee will comply with the payment order or if further legal actions will ensue, potentially impacting his future projects and collaborations in Bollywood.
