Producer Boney Kapoor has addressed actor Arshad Warsi’s recent allegations regarding underpayment for choreographing a song in the 1993 film Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja. Warsi had previously claimed that he was paid ₹25,000 less than the agreed amount for his work on the film.
In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Kapoor reacted strongly to Warsi’s assertions. He questioned Warsi’s claim, stating that at the time, Warsi was not a well-known figure and thus, it would have been unusual to pay him a significant sum. Kapoor said, “I read his statement and laughed. The shoot took place in 1992, and he’s talking about it now. He wasn’t a star then. Who would have paid him such a huge amount?”
Warsi had alleged that he was promised ₹1 lakh for choreographing the song and that he completed the work in three days instead of the initially planned four. According to Kapoor, the production budget allocated ₹25,000 per day, totaling ₹75,000 for the three days of work. Kapoor emphasized that the payment was based on the actual days worked, not the initially agreed amount for the longer duration.
Kapoor also noted that Pankaj Parashar, the film’s director, had completed the song in three days. He remarked, “I didn’t even remember this episode. We were part of a TV show together, and he never mentioned this before. Now, it seems like he’s seeking media attention, and I am an easy target.”
Pankaj Parashar also chimed in, confirming Kapoor’s account. He stated that he was the director who managed the shoot and that Warsi did not have control over the production. Parashar clarified that the song’s completion in three days was due to his direction, not Warsi’s choreography.
Warsi, in a previous interview on Unfiltered by Samdish, had expressed his dissatisfaction with being paid ₹75,000 instead of the ₹1 lakh he believed he was owed. He explained, “The production person asked me to finish the song sooner to save costs. After we completed it in three days, I expected to be compensated more, but they only paid me for the reduced number of days.”
The film, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, featured Anil Kapoor and Sridevi and was known for its elaborate production. The disagreement between Kapoor and Warsi has brought renewed attention to the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the film’s making.
Sources By Agencies
