Ronnie Screwvala learns Vashu Bhagnani has theatrical rights to Kedarnath after buying it from KriArj

Kedarnath, starring Sushant Singh Rajput and newcomer Sara Ali Khan, is now caught up in a fresh and unusual trouble. A couple of weeks ago, Ronnie Screwvala had bought the film's rights from KriArj Entertainment, which is co-owned by Prernaa Arora.

However, according to a Mid-Day, a tabloid, report, Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment, Gothic Entertainment and Padma Ispat Private Limited have informed Screwvala that they own the Indian theatrical rights of Kedarnath. Reportedly, they have also sent a copy of their contracts to KriArj Entertainment.

The report quotes a source saying that Screwvala and director Abhishek Kapoor (who is also a co-producer) were stunned when they saw the copy of the legal contract.

Kapoor has now filed a non-cognizable complaint against Arora. “It's shocking to know that there are people in the business who think it's okay to sell assets that do not belong to them,” he said.

Arora in her defense, said that she was not aware that the theatrical rights of Kedarnath were sold to the three production companies.

“Everything has now been sold to Ronnie Screwvala. But at no point did I or KriArj [Entertainment] know about it [the contract with the other three companies] till we read [about] it in the papers. I only had got a confirmation from T-Series and an NOC [No-objection certificate] letter from them saying that Abhishek will return the Rs15 crore before the shoot. Regarding Vashuji, we had a long-term deal to make films together,” she said.

Further, Arora added that she had no time to inform Bhagnani that she had sold Kedarnath to Screwvala. “But I had no time to inform him about the termination of the Kedarnath deal. Vashuji read it in the papers too, and approached Ronnie accordingly. I should have officially terminated my paperwork with Vashuji,” she said.

The producer also stated that Gothic Entertainment and Padma Ispat Private Limited have no rights over the film. “Where Gothic and Padma Ispat are concerned, they have nothing to do with the film. This will be proved in the court,” she said.

Bhagnani, who is also shocked by the developments, has claimed that Screwvala cannot release the film without his consent. “I have been doing business with Prernaa for over a year. I was shocked to read that Ronnie has taken over the film when the rights are with me. He can't release the movie, without my consent, and until he pays me my money,” he told the tabloid.