Film politics takes an ugly turn

NDTV: "Producer Pahlaj Nihalani is finding himself at the centre of a storm these days. Head of the Association of Motion Pictures and Television Programme Producers or AMPTPP for 14 years, Nihalani is up for re-election in a few days.

But a trade publication has now released advertisements accusing him of corruption. The ads are have been taken out by a man called Anil Nagrath, who was director general of Nihalani's association.

"It is a mistake and not a fraud. I have told them this. If they have proved that I have signed any cheques, they are free to prosecute me," said Nagrath.

"The AMPTPP has properties that have been bought by Pahlaj Nihalani in his name. Nowhere in the world an individual can buy property on behalf of an association in his name,'' he added.

Many believe the ads are pure vendetta. Nagrath had been sacked from the AMPTPP by Nihalani for mismanaging funds.

In fact, Nihalani's supporters are said to be behind ads against Nagrath that appeared in Bollywood trade papers.

"Pahlajji's integrity cannot be questioned. All of us governing council members stand by him. The property was bought by Pahaljji in his name as MHADA does not allow properties to be bought in the name of a commercial premise," said Vikas Mohan, vice-president, AMPTPP.

Now this bizarre battle of ads and accusations has also spilled into the rival producers association called the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association or IMPPA.

The head of IMPPA is a producer called Shabnam Kapoor, who won apparently because Nagrath lobbied for her. The moment this happened, ads appeared in trade magazines targetting Shabnam.

''It's sad that my name is being tarnished because people are using this for the purpose of elections,'' said Shabnam.

At stake is not just the reputation of the film community, but property worth crores belonging to these associations.

"Producers should behave themselves. People are spoiling their names, and bringing disrepute to the association with their behaviour,'' said Ashok Pandit, producer.

It's fair to say that most of the producers who are part of these associations are not exactly bursting with work, but their mudslinging could end up giving the entire industry a bad name."