Vashu Bhagnani Opens Up on Industry Relationships, Royalties

Veteran producer Vashu Bhagnani has been in the news for conflict with David Dhawan and Ramesh Taurani surrounding the songs 'Chunari Chunari' and 'Ishq Hona Hai'.

Bhagnani has opened up on his long association with Taurani and David. In a detailed statement, Bhagnani said he has largely avoided discussing industry relationships in public, but recent events compelled him to share his perspective after years of what he described as hurt, disappointment and broken trust.

The controversy has intensified ahead of the release of David Dhawan's upcoming directorial 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai', starring Varun Dhawan, scheduled to hit theatres on June 5.

Reflecting on his early years in the business, Bhagnani said his relationship with the Taurani family dates back to a period before he entered film production. He explained that he had already established himself in the audio cassette industry and built significant connections within the entertainment sector before launching Pooja Films and Pooja Entertainment.

"Before entering films, I had already built a successful audio cassette manufacturing business and established strong relationships within the entertainment industry. My association with the Taurani family began through the music business, particularly with Kumar Taurani. Later, I entered film production through Pooja Films and Pooja Entertainment, building my projects, partnerships, and productions independently," said Bhagnani.

One of the anecdotes Bhagnani recalled was from the success of Coolie No. 1. He revealed that he had gifted cars to director David Dhawan and actor Govinda as a gesture of gratitude after the film's success. According to him, Tips was a 50 percent partner in the project, and he had proposed making the gesture jointly.

“I believed success should be shared with the people who create it. When I suggested that we jointly gift cars to David Dhawan ji and Govinda ji, Ramesh ji did not wish to be part of it. I therefore proceeded on my own because I felt it was the right thing to do,” said Bhagnani.

He added that the episode reflected a principle he has followed throughout his career — recognising and rewarding the people who contribute to a project's success. He added that the episode reflected a principle he has followed throughout his career — recognising and rewarding the people who contribute to a project's success.

Bhagnani also addressed what he termed misconceptions regarding industry relationships and professional histories. Referring to his long-standing association with David Dhawan, he pointed out that they had collaborated on multiple successful films over the years.

“People can verify the records themselves. I worked with David Dhawan ji from the beginning of my production journey and built several successful films together. Ramesh Taurani took 31 years to sign David Dhawan for his own first direct venture, which itself reflects the chronology of our respective journeys,” he said.

According to Bhagnani, the timeline of events itself demonstrates the professional relationships he nurtured and the collaborations he built during his decades-long career.

The producer further stated that although he chose not to speak publicly for years, he now feels compelled to present his side of the story.

“There comes a time when silence is mistaken for acceptance. I am only sharing my side of the story and the facts as I experienced them. Some actions over the years felt like a betrayal of trust, and I believe it is important to put my perspective on record,” he said.

While refraining from detailing every incident, Bhagnani indicated that certain developments involving people he once considered close associates had left him deeply disheartened.

A significant portion of his statement focused on royalties and future revenues linked to the films and music he helped create. Bhagnani proposed that if substantial earnings are generated from the music associated with his productions in the future, those benefits should be distributed among the actors, directors, writers and creative professionals who contributed to those projects.

He specifically acknowledged several artists and collaborators, including David Dhawan, the late Satish Kaushik and his family, Rumi Jaffery, Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Salman Khan , Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu, Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and Sushmita Sen , among others.

“The film industry is one family, and Pooja Entertainment has always been a family. Together, we have celebrated successes, faced failures, and created memories that audiences continue to cherish. If there is ever any royalty or benefit from these music, I would like it to reach the actors, directors, writers and actresses who stood by me and helped build these films. I have always believed that success should be shared. Appreciation should not just be spoken about, it should be demonstrated,” Bhagnani added.

He stressed that his remarks should not be viewed solely through the prism of legal conflicts or ownership disputes. Instead, he described them as reflections on gratitude, fairness and acknowledging those who played a role in shaping his professional journey.

“Cinema belongs to a team. If the films continue to create value, the people who helped create that value should never be forgotten,” he concluded.

Bhagnani ended his statement by thanking the actors, filmmakers, technicians, distributors, exhibitors and countless creative professionals who have been part of his career. He also extended his appreciation to PVR INOX Pictures, calling it a tribute to the many individuals and institutions connected to his cinematic legacy.

The statement comes shortly after Pooja Entertainment dismissed reports claiming a legal standoff with PVR INOX Pictures over an alleged ₹100 crore refundable advance linked to *Mission Raniganj*, *Ganapath* and *Bade Miyan Chote Miyan*. In an Instagram post, the production house termed the reports "entirely inaccurate" and maintained that its relationship with the exhibition giant remains cordial.

At the same time, Pooja Entertainment is reportedly pursuing a separate ₹400 crore case in the Bombay High Court against Tips Industries and David Dhawan. The suit alleges the unauthorised use of intellectual property from the 1999 film *Biwi No. 1* in the upcoming release *Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai*.