Notice issued to Bollywood producers

NDTV: "Some of Mumbai film industry's top producers are feeling the heat.

To ensure greater transparency, people like Yash Chopra, Rakesh Roshan, Karan Johar have been issued notices by Maharashtra's stamp office, asking them to submit all agreements that they have entered with stars, directors and others since May 2005.

One of the most closely guarded secrets in the film world - the contract between stars and producers - is now under scrutiny.

Those who have been sent notices include Yash Chopra, Karan Johar, Ram Gopal Verma, Subhash Ghai, J P Dutta, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Ajit Kumar Barjatya, Rakesh Roshan and Manmohan Shetty.

According to the stamp duty officials such notices will act as an eye-opener for other producers.

"Instead of us sending them notices, we expect them to come on their own and submit all the required documents," said Rajesh J Narvekar, Superintendent of stamps.

None of the production houses were willing to confirm the notices, which came at a time when star prices are skyrocketing, but officials say not all the payment is accounted for.

They say it's not the first time they have issued notices to the film world as part of their attempts to make Bollywood transactions a more transparent affair.

Earlier they have sent similar letters to Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen about their fees and said the stars have replied to the letters promptly and had settled their dues."