Veteran producer Vashu Bhagnani has spoken out about his long time work with producer Ramesh Taurani.
He says even though he helped build important relationships and played a big part in his own success, he later felt let down by the Taurani group.
In a detailed statement, Bhagnani talked about his many years in the entertainment business, his work with filmmaker David Dhawan, and his belief that success should be shared with those who contribute to it.
He remembered a big moment in his career when he gave a car to David Dhawan and Govinda before the release of the big hit Coolie No 1 (1995) as a thank you for their help in making the film a success.
According to Bhagnani, Tips was a 50 percent partner in the project, but when he suggested making the gesture together, Ramesh Taurani did not agree to take part.
"I believed that success should be shared with those who create it.
When I suggested that we jointly gift cars to David Dhawan ji and Govinda ji, Ramesh ji did not want to be part of it. I therefore did it on my own because I felt it was the right thing to do," said Bhagnani.
He talked about how his connection with Taurani started during his time in the audio cassette business before he moved into film production.
"Before entering films, I had already built a successful audio cassette manufacturing business and had strong relationships in the entertainment industry.
My association with the Taurani family started through the music business, especially with Kumar Taurani. Later, I entered film production through Pooja Films and Pooja Entertainment, building my projects, partnerships, and productions on my own," said Bhagnani.
He also addressed some misunderstandings about the history of the industry.
"People can check the records themselves. I worked with David Dhawan ji from the start of my production journey and built several successful films together. Ramesh Taurani took 31 years to sign David Dhawan for his own first direct venture, which itself shows the timeline of our journeys," he said.
Bhagnani also said that some events over the years made him feel let down and betrayed by people he once considered close friends.
"There comes a time when not speaking up is mistaken for agreement. I am only sharing my side of the story and the facts as I experienced them. Some actions over the years felt like a betrayal of trust, and I believe it’s important to put my perspective on record," he said.
In his statement, Vashu Bhagnani said that if any meaningful royalty or future revenue is ever generated from the music he created and produced, he would like a share of it to go to the actors, directors, writers, and actresses who helped bring those stories to life.
He specifically mentioned David Dhawan, the late Satish Kaushik and his family, Rumy Jafry, Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Sushmita Sen and many others who have been part of his cinematic journey.
"The film industry is one big family, and Pooja Entertainment has always been a family.
Together, we have celebrated successes, faced failures, and created memories that audiences still remember. If there is ever any royalty or benefit from these songs, I would like it to reach the actors, directors, writers and actresses who stood by me and helped build these films. I have always believed that success should be shared. Appreciation should not just be spoken about; it should be shown," Bhagnani added.
He clarified that his remarks are not related to any ownership disputes or legal cases.
He said his statement should be seen as one of gratitude, ethics, and responsibility toward the people who helped shape his cinematic legacy. "Cinema belongs to a team. If the films continue to create value, the people who helped create that value should never be forgotten," he concluded.
Bhagnani ended his statement by honoring the artists, technicians, distributors, exhibitors, and creative professionals who have been part of his journey, while also offering a final salute to PVR INOX Pictures.
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