Prakash Jha files extortion case against NY producers

Bollywood producer and director Prakash Jha on Tuesday lodged a complaint against two New York-based film-makers, accusing them of threatening him and trying extort more than Rs two crore from him.

Bollywood producer and director Prakash Jha on Tuesday lodged a complaint against two New York-based film-makers, accusing them of threatening him and trying extort more than Rs two crore from him.

The Amboli police has registered a case of extortion against the film-makers.

“Jha, in his complaint, said that the two film-makers – Pramod Bhanti and Devendra Singh – both New York based, demanded more than Rs2 crore from him. They also sent him threatening emails and made phone calls demanding the money,” said R Kane, assistant police inspector, Amboli police station.

According to the police, Jha and the two accused had planned a movie venture in 2004, for which Jha had even written a script. The venture, however, did not work out. Jha said that he returned to the duo the Rs24.59 lakh that they had paid him.

However, Bhanti and Singh repeatedly called and emailed him, demanding more money from him.

“ According to the complaint, the accused threatened to kill Jha if he did not pay them. Jha said that his friend in New York was also harassed by the accused,” said Kane.

A case has been registered against the accused under sections 384 (Punishment for extortion) and 120B (Punishment of criminal conspiracy) added Kane. Jha did not respond to repeated calls and text messages and was unavailable for comment.