KriArj Entertainment slams John Abraham's JA Entertainment for cancelling Parmanu 

After perennial postponements and delays, reports now suggest that the John Abraham-starrer Parmanu has now become the centre point of a clash between Prernaa Arora's KriArj Entertainment and Abraham's JA Entertainment. After JA Entertainment announced on Sunday that they were cancelling the contract on the film, KriArj Entertainment has put out a statement citing the termination of the contract as invalid and illegal. 

Parmanu: The Story Of Pokhran (2018) is based on the nuclear test explosions conducted by the Indian Army in 1998. The film is directed by Abhishek Sharma with Abraham, Diana Penty, and Boman Irani among the key cast members. However, Abraham's JA Entertainment put out a statement on 1 April suggesting that they are terminating the contract between themselves and KriArj Entertainment over the film. 

In reply, KriArj Entertainment's statement reads: 'Trade notice issued by JA Entertainment claiming termination of their agreement with us for the Film Parmanu, please note that the said termination is illegal and invalid. Our rights in the Film as a joint producer/presenter and owner of all rights are fully secured, we have always fulfilled all our commitments till date and have clear intent to continue doing so. JA Ent has also always been aware that Zee Studios are KriArj’s partners in the Film from very early stages as co-producers and also the acquirers of the Overseas theatrical, digital, satellite and music rights of the Film [sic].' 

In the statement, KriArj Entertainment also accused Abraham's production house of constantly causing delays in the film, resulting in monetary losses to the production. 'JA Ent has till date not fulfilled it’s commitment of completing and intimating us of the completion the film and is fraudulently trying to delay the release of the film thereby causing huge monetary losses and damage to our reputation.' The statement adds: 'JA Ent has repeatedly put a spoke in the wheel and derailed the marketing campaign which is hurting the prospects of the film and is the cause of losses being continuously caused to us [sic].' 

KriArj Entertainment further added: 'After making substantial payments to them JA Ent has kept making unreasonable demands for money from us which are completely outside the scope of their initial understanding with us.This has made it abundantly clear that they are trying to defraud us by now attempting to wriggle out of a legally binding contract with us which is not only unlawful but also unethical. We hope better sense prevails on JA Ent as we have been only looking towards the interest of the Film and the best possible release [sic].'

'It goes without saying that any one dealing with the Film or any of its rights through JA Ent will be doing so at their own risk and peril and will also have to face legal consequences. We have already instructed our attorneys who will be moving the necessary authorities soon for seeking justice against the breaches committed by JA Ent and its promoter Mr John Abraham [sic].' 

While the film faced several delays, it was scheduled to be released on 11 May. Director Abhishek Sharma had said, "The film is completely ready for release. All work is completed. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the release." 

However, in the current scenario, it is unlikely that the film will see the light of day any time soon. 

Abraham is currently filming for Milap Zaveri's untitled thriller, which also stars Manoj Bajpayee.