Director Jagmohan Mundra is miffed with Prity Bhutani for maligning him. It’s the first time, he says, he’s been maligned in a career spanning 28 years.
“It’s an uncalled for controversy. Prity was playing a supporting role in my film Apartment. She went to the media saying that she walked out because she was being mistreated on the set. That’s completely untrue,” says an incensed Mundra.
For a friend
He informs that the actress was cast as an airhostess in the film because a friend had strongly recommended her. “I had finished casting for the film. There was just one role still left, and after a lot of thought, she agreed to do it. The producer (the film is produced by Magna) was keen on Parakh Madan who was in Dev D but I told them I had already committed to Prity,” he narrates.
Once she had been confirmed, her secretary started calling the producer, demanding more money. She shot for just two days, and on both days, he rages, she turned up about two hours late. For another shoot in an aircraft with Tanushree (Dutta), she didn’t turn up even after keeping everyone waiting for three hours. “Even her secretary couldn’t get in touch with her and apologising profusely asked me to go ahead with someone else,” says Mundra.
Since Parakh was already committed to another project, he opted for Parul Chaudhary, whom he had auditioned earlier. The film also features Anupam Kher, Rohit Roy and Neetu Chandra.
{{/usCountry}}Since Parakh was already committed to another project, he opted for Parul Chaudhary, whom he had auditioned earlier. The film also features Anupam Kher, Rohit Roy and Neetu Chandra.
{{/usCountry}}“I don’t even yell at my spotboys and assistants. I treated her as a friend but she chose to use that friendship to gain mileage,” he sighs.
Meanwhile, Nari Hira, the producer is not too pleased to hear that Mundra had a tiff with him over casting Bhutani. “That’s not true, I don’t know Prity at all,” he clarified, adding that he was only involved in the principal casting.. that of the four main actors, Kher, Roy, Dutta and Chandra.
Satisfied
Hira, the owner of Magna Publishing Company, seemed amused by the casting couch allegations. “The shooting locations were crowded, with the unit members, how could anyone take advantage of her. Besides, I don’t think Jag’s wife will tolerate any kind of misbehaviour,” he points out.
Sixty per cent of the film is complete and Hira is pretty satisfied with Parul Chaudhary’s work. He says, “She’s not a known name but she’s good.”