Mahadevan

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Nirmal Jaiswal (@nirmaljaiswal_productions)Earier, taking to X (formerly Twitter), trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared, PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER PRACHAND FIRST LOOK POSTER #Pitobash, #ManojMishra, #PrakrutiMishra, #JayjeetDas, #AnantMahadevan and #AtulShrivastav star in #Prachand Directed by #SushantPanda #FirstLook poster Produced by Nirmal Jaiswal and Dr Bu Abdullah Co-produced by Pitobash and Dr Soumya Ranjan Pradhan Dr Soumya Ranjan Pradhan and Dr Thousif Pasha are Associate Producers Satish Tripathy is creative producer.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Taran Adarsh (@taranadarsh)Director Sushant Panda shared his insight, saying, "In crafting this cinematic masterpiece, we delved deep into the intricate genre of psychological thrillers. What sets 'Prachand' apart is its unique perspective. Our movie serves as a poignant reminder of how we take our planet for granted. 'Prachand' is a tribute to our planet's beauty and exploration of karma the belief that our deeds, both virtuous and malevolent, come full circle. It's a journey into the realm of spirituality and the divine."Producer Nirmal Jaiswal shares his perspective on the project, stating, "When I first engaged in discussions with Sushant and heard the concept for this film, I was instantly struck by its intriguing and distinctive nature. It was evident that 'Prachand' stood out in the world of cinema. Impressed by Sushant's vision, I decided to join forces with him, recognizing the immense potential and creativity that this project held. This film challenges conventional storytelling and embarks on a gripping exploration of the human psyche, leaving the audience pondering the intricate web of karma and destiny."The cast of Prachand includes Pitobash, Manoj Mishra, Prakruti Mishra, Jayjeet Das, Anant Mahadevan, Atul Shrivastav, Sukant Rath, Pallavi Subash, Dinesh Nag, Prakruti Mishra, and Usha Rani Tandey.The film is directed by Sushant Panda and produced by Nirmal Jaiswal and Dr. Bu Abdullah.

If you feel Ananath Narayan Mahadevan is currently enjoying the success of his performance in the highly acclaimed web series, Scam 1992, youre highly mistaken. The actor, who has also been dabbling into direction since a long time, is hurt and in despair. Thats because he still hasnt been fully paid for Aksar 2. This erotic thriller released on November 17, 2017 and starred Zareen Khan, Gautam Rode and Abhinav Shukla. Fed up with asking producer Shyam Bajaj for the balance remuneration, the veteran artist yesterday put up a Facebook post. He uploaded the poster of Aksar 2 and the caption was CELEBRATING THREE YEARS....OF HUMILIATION by the producers. Not just that, he played with the tagline of the film, How often do you see the trap? by mentioning on the poster, How often do you not get paid??When contacted by Bollywood Hungama, Ananath Narayan Mahadevan minced no words while narrating his ordeal. He said, I was supposed to be paid Rs. 35 lakhs. I have been paid Rs. 20 lakhs till date. They kept promising for 3 years that theyll pay up the balance amount. Every time I contacted Mr Shyam Bajaj, he kept saying that hell pay. And then he tried to avoid it. I ended up as a nervous wreck. It was very humiliating. If somebody would have told me to direct a film for free, I would have graciously done it. But they kept fooling me. They claimed that lets finish the Mauritius schedule. Otherwise the film will get stuck and let me release the film first and then Ill pay. Also, the film is your baby too. You dont want it to get affected in any way. And of course, I did trust. In fact, he didnt even sign a contract with me. He managed to bypass all that very cleverly. Now I realize that it was all very well planned so that they dont have to pay me my remuneration. Very sad state of affairs!This is not the first time that Ananath Narayan Mahadevan has worked with the Bajajs. Earlier, he had directed for them films like, Aksar (2006) and Aggar (2007). Ananth says he was paid well without delay during the making of those films which is why he didnt imagine in his wildest dreams that they wouldn't pay him during Aksar 2. He stated, I have worked with them earlier, with Aksar and even in Aggar. Thats the reason I trusted them. I was paid properly then and on time. So I thought theyll not cheat me. And I had agreed to work for such a paltry sum that its even shameful to tell the public. He added, Every time, they used to give me a small amount through a cheque.So what does he plan to do now so that justice is served? Ananth Narayan Mahadevan says, I have nothing to do. I approached a lawyer but he said that since I dont have a contract, we cant do anything about it. The lawyer went and spoke to them. They then continued with their excuses like well let you know, well talk after Diwali, we are sick etc. They have got a hundred excuses to give me. So finally, I decided to go public. I realized that if they humiliate me like this, Ill humiliate them too. I know I am not going to get the money. So Ill at least hit back and wound them before I die.Aksar 2 was panned badly by critics and viewers alike, unlike the first part which boasted of a great suspense, hit music and fair performances by Emraan Hashmi, Dino Morea and Udita Goswami. On this, Anant revealed, For the producers, sex was the only important factor. If Aksar 2 did not have the sex element at all, it would have been a very slick and intelligentthriller. But all the focus was on the wrong things. Even while making the film, I had to accept this aspect and direct. If they had released the film properly and it had become a big hit, then somewhere it would have lessened the pain. I could have consoled myself by saying, chalo, koi baat nahi. The film is a hit. Ill manage to get some mileage out of it. But shockingly, they didnt even distribute it properly. They ensured that the film folded up in one week. It was a totally disgusting experience.He continued, Aksar 2 had a better story. It had good actors like Gautam Rode. I wonder what their intention was. They didnt want to run the film well, they didnt sell it to any platform. I wonder what they were upto. Is this some way of showing losses so that they can claim some money? They were upto some game which I am not able to decipher.When asked whether the rest of the cast and crew members have been duly paid, Ananth Narayan Mahadevan informed, All the actors were paid. The makers had to; otherwise they wont dub or promote the film. But the director is always left high and dry, and then added, Everybody has been paid except me, the DOP and the assistants.So has the cinematographer Maneesh Bhatt decided to take any action? Ananth said, The DOP also tried to get his money but after a point, even he gave up. They told me and him that theyll pay us once they start their next project. But this was not the condition that was laid before us when we started Aksar 2.What adds to the humiliation for Ananth Narayan Mahadevan is that he went to great lengths for the makers while directing Aksar 2. He confessed, Aksar 2 was made below their budget. They had a budget of Rs. 4 crore but I made it at Rs. 3 crore. You have no idea how much I have gone through during this film. They even admit it that I am the only one who can make a film within a budget, within a stipulated time and ensure profit for the makers. And yet, they are playing this game. I dont understand what's driving them to act in such a manner.He further said, These Rs. 20 lakhs which I have received were given to me over a period of two years. I had asked for Rs. 50 lakhs since I have done films for Rs. 60 lakhs in the past. But they convinced me by saying, Aap paintees lakh (35 lakh) mein kar do hamare liye. They assured me that the film will be done within a period of 4 to 6 months and that Ill be paid by then. So, I agreed. They stretched the film to 2 years. Imagine, Rs. 20 lakhs in 2 years! A per-day-artiste would have got more than what I got paid in the film!For Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, the non-payment of due has given him a huge blow. He stated, The only reason I do these mainstream films so that itll help make the kind of films I strongly desire. There I know I wont get money and theres hardly any budget. Aksar 2 came at a time when I badly needed the money. Despite them knowing about my condition, they did not have the heart to pay me my rightful due.Making independent cinema, however, was not the only reason. Ananth faced many difficulties and even then, the producers didnt budge. He said, I told them to just give me Rs. 1 lakh. I needed it desperately to give it to the contractor so that my brothers house, destroyed in the floods in Kerala, can be rebuilt. My brother was literally roofless and I was begging them to give me the money. They have put me through such mental torture! If this was America, they could have been sued for millions of dollars.Further explaining his condition, Ananth Narayan Mahadevan said, My mother is ailing and is bedridden. I have to pay 2 nurses a minimum Rs. 60,000 a month. I have told the producers everything about my mothers condition and my brothers condition. But these people kept fooling me. Mr Shyam Bajaj, in fact, kept visiting me at studios where I was shooting. He would make assurances and leave. I can literally feel them laughing behind my back. I want to just ask him - why are you not paying an honest director his rightful due? The man who saved you a crore, why are you doing this to him? Thats all I need to know. I am very distressed.Ananth signed off by stating, Let me see how they can reply now that I have named and shamed them in public. I feel they wont have a reply.