Before debuting with Tere Mere Sapne in the 90s, Arshad Warsi worked as a choreographer in Boney Kapoor’s production venture, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja in 1993. After his recent interview with Samdish Bhatia, Arshad has incurred the wrath of a section of Indian cinema celebrities. The actor also alleged that he was underpaid for choreography in the 1993 film. Now, producer Boney has reacted to Arshad’s claims of receiving remuneration Rs 25,000 less than the total amount. Boney said that he was not a star at that time.
In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Boney Kapoor shared his thoughts about Arshad Warsi, who had alleged that he was underpaid as a choreographer in Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja. The filmmaker said that he read Arshad’s recent statement and laughed that it took the actor three decades to bring up the 1992 incident.
Talking about Arshad’s comments for the Anil Kapoor and Sridevi starrer, Boney said, “…shot in 1992 and he is talking about it now. At that time, he was not a star.” The producer wondered how the producers would have paid him such a huge amount.
Boney further revealed that the producers initially thought that the choreography would take four days to complete but the song director Pankaj Parasher completed the track in three days. The producer claimed that Arshad was paid Rs 75,000 for three days of choreography and was paid Rs 25,000 per day.
Boney Kapoor, who later worked with Arshad on a TV show, recalled that the Golmaal actor never spoke about the incident at the time. The producer called himself an “easy target” and suggested that everyone wants “media attention” nowadays.
When contacted, the film’s producer Pankaj Parasher said that he was not involved with the finances and directed the track as a “favour” to producer Boney. Extending his support to Boney, the song director claimed that the producer had no idea about the payment and initially mentioned that Arshad’s recent statement might be based on humour.
Pankaj Parasher also cleared the confusion about the completion of the song, dismissing Arshad’s claim that he completed it in three days. Parasher referred to the actor as a “new choreographer” who “did not control the shoot”.
In his first interview with Samdish, Arshad Warsi claimed that he had asked for Rs 1 lakh for four days of shooting. However, he was given a cheque of Rs 75,000. Arshad choreographed the title track of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja.
Also read: Arshad Warsi reveals Boney Kapoor’s production house paid him 25% less despite shooting for ‘the whole day’: ‘They requested me to finish the shoot…’
