Ravi did not pay Kavitha Lankesh: CJ Roy

On Tuesday morning, CJ Roy woke up to the news that Sandalwood director Kavitha Lankesh accused him of non-payment of dues for her latest film Crazy Loka. On Monday, Kavitha had approached the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), claiming that she and several people on her cast and crew had not been paid outstanding dues. Naturally, all fingers were pointed at the producers ��������� his real estate firm.
But that was not the case, says Roy, speaking to us from Dubai. ���������While we are the primary producers of the film, the actual production was sub-contracted to Shanta Enterprises, headed by Ravi Kumar. We had paid Shanta Enterprises the entire amount that had been budgeted for the film. However, there was a lapse on his behalf in settling dues,��������� said Roy.
With his company���������s image at stake, Roy got into the act, instructing a representative from his firm to meet with Ravi, Kavitha and the others involved in the issue at the KFCC. ���������The report that appeared claimed that Rs 15 lakh was yet to be paid to several technicians and actors. This is also not true. An amount of Rs 8.87 lakh was due, which we paid, even though it was Ravi who should have paid, since we had made 100% payments to them much before the release of the film,��������� said Roy, and added that he was contemplating initiating legal action against Shanta Enterprises.
Actor Harshika Poonacha, who had Rs 1 lakh in pending dues, confirms that it was Ravi���������s cheques that bounced. ���������All our dealings were with Ravi. During the making of the film I never once interacted with anyone from Roy���������s company,��������� she said.