CINTAA intervenes to solve DISPUTE between actor Maleeka R Ghai and Trilogy Media

TV industry showcases the positivity of relationships onscreen. But off the screen, tales seem to be different.

In a very strange turn of event, a dirty battle has left a bad taste between an actor and a producer, is what we have been informed.

Before we venture into the story, let us give you a background tale to the same.

Maleeka R Ghai who was to play a pivotal role in Trilogy Media’s Lajwanti on Zee TV, met with an accident while shooting. The lady tore her ligaments and had to undergo an operation to recover. 

She was sent back to Delhi to her parents by the production house. She then flew off to Scotland for her pre-planned trip to her sister. 

Maleeka was still in pain when she returned, leading her to report to the doctors again. She was shocked when the doctors advised her to undergo a surgery to make her get back on her feet. With the complicated operation done, the lady has still not recuperated completely. This has forced her to be at home, jobless.

Now without much of a financial support, the woman approached her producers for monetary aid. With them not giving an ear to her pleas, Maleeka had to approach the governing body, CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes Association) for help.

Shared a source from CINTAA, “The woman has been in terrible state with medical bills rising up every day. Although the authorities demanded compensation from the producers for Maleeka, they were not keen. The CINTAA then approached the Federation and a committee was set to clear the dues.”

As per the source, initially the producers refrained from even meeting the actor; but then they had to bow down on the pressure. Although the request was sanctioned for Rs 5 lakh by the CINTAA, the producers agreed on Rs 3 lakh. Three post dated cheques amounting to a lakh was issued. But with an error in names printed on them, they were taken back. And now the producers have been refraining to even talk about the matter. They have also refused any compensation to the actor.

A source from the production house although had a different take, “We accept that Maleeka got injured on the sets, but then she moved out of the country for some trip. She put up pictures from her journey on social networking accounts and was enjoying her time. She also was fine with us, when suddenly she has started demanding money. It is a mere extortion for us. Though we agreed to pay the money, CINTAA members have been really rude to us leaving us with no option but to report to the Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC).”

Tellychakkar.com contacted Maleeka who shared, “I have nothing personal against Trilogy but the fact that I injured myself while shooting for their show should be taken into consideration. It has been six months that I am out of work. I haven’t even asked for work loss compensation. I request them to take the case in consideration personally and pay off my medical bills. As for my trip is concerned, it was planned long back and I could not cancel it. I was on crutches and on a wheel chair all through the trip. Also my MRI reports did not show any aggravation to my condition post my trip and thus they cannot blame that for not paying off.”

Chairperson, Dispute Settlement Committee, CINTAA, Amit Behl on contacted shared, “We work on the fairest means and have no personal grudges, or are in favour of any party. We want the issue to get sorted out. The actor is in need of the producer’s help at the moment. Since she was injured on the sets, it is the responsibility of the producers to look into this grave issue and pay off a compensation to her.”

Well, in a bid to cover all angles, we contacted Producer Ila Bedi who on her part mentioned, “The matter is still under IFTPC and thus I would not like to comment much on it. But all I can say is that I am really surprised with the way we are being held guilty. Maleeka was holidaying rather than having an immediate operation, and now she is putting the onus on us. Also CINTAA members have really mistreated us, which was really shocking and appalling.”                                                                                                  

Pretty sad state of affairs, this!! We hope both parties settle their differences soon.

We will keep a close eye on the developments and bring further updates.