HYDERABAD: In a sudden twist to actor NTR Jr’s Nannaku Prematho, Tollywood’s Powerstar Pawan Kalyan has lodged a complaint against the film’s producer BVSN Prasad, for refusing to return ` 2 crore that the actor had lent him two-and-a-half years ago.
A day before the release of Prasad’s Nannaku Prematho, Pawan filed a complaint with the Movie Artistes’ Association, claiming that he had lent Prasad `2 crore before the release of Attarintiki Daredi, but the producer has not cleared his dues even though the film turned out to be a huge blockbuster.
“When BVSN Prasad was in a major financial crisis before the release of Attarintiki Daredi, Pawan Kalyan and Trivikram bailed the producer out by lending him money. However, even though the film was one of the biggest hits Tollywood has produced till date, Prasad did not return it. Now, before the release of Nannaku Prematho, he was supposed to return the money but he refused. So Pawan Kalyan had no option but to lodge a complaint,” revealed a source close to the actor-politician.
The timing of the complaint is questionable as it comes on the eve of a major release and many feel that it is an opportunistic move by Pawan Kalyan.
Dismissing such notions, the source added, “All these years, Pawan Kalyan never asked him for the money as he had professional courtesy and respect for him and expected him to return the money once he sold the rights of Nannaku Prematho to the distributors. People are pointing fingers at Pawan for filing a complaint at this stage but nobody is questioning Prasad cheating Pawan Kalyan,” he added.
Meanwhile, members of the Movie Artistes’ Association have confirmed that they have received a formal complaint from the powerstar and will soon send it over to the Producers’ Council to look into the matter.
“Yes, we have received the complaint from Pawan Kalyan last night (Monday). The actor had lent a sum of `2 Crore but it was never returned. We are currently looking into the matter and will forward it to the Producers’ Council at the earliest. This is the first time Pawan Kalyan is coming forward with a complaint to us, so we will take it up on a priority basis,” said Sivaji Raja, general secretary, Movie Artistes’ Association.
MAA officials have clarified that this issue will not affect the release of Nannaku Prematho in any way as only a formal complaint has been lodged. “He (Pawan) has only filed a complaint at this point. The issue will be looked into by the Producers’ Council and if necessary, it will reach the courts. But this will not have any bearing on the film’s release,” MAA officials said.
Meanwhile, producer BVSN Prasad was unavailable for comment. According to sources close to the producer, he is busy with the release of Nannaku Prematho and will only respond after the film hits screens. Nannaku Prematho was also involved in a controversy, where its poster hurt religious sentiments.