PremiumMasterChef Telugu producers hit back at Tamannaah over alleged non-payment of dues, initiate legal action
Innovative Film Academy, in a media statement, has claimed that the shoot delay owing to Tamannaah's work commitments have resulted in a loss of more than Rs.5 crores
Last Updated: 05.56 PM, Oct 26, 2021
Actress Tamannaah's association with MasterChef Telugu is taking a sour turn. While the show didn't begin on a strong note and failed to register impressive TRPs on the small screen, her sudden exit has only complicated matters further and got several tongues wagging. Rumours were flowing thick and fast that Tamannaah was planning to sue the show producers, Innovative Film Academy, over alleged non-payment of dues this week. Clearing the air from their end, Innovative Film Academy released a statement to the media today.
The statement suggests that IFA and Tamannaah had entered into an agreement to shoot for MasterChef Telugu between June 24 and September (end) for a period of 18 days. She was to be paid a sum of Rs 2 crore for the same. IFA claims that her work commitments didn't permit her to finish the shoot as per schedule, which had them incur a loss of Rs 5 crore. For the 16 days that Tamannaah has managed to shoot, IFA states that they have paid her Rs 1.56 crore, adding that the remaining payment (Rs 50 lakh) was to be made after she finishes shooting for the finale (which hasn't been shot yet).
"At this juncture, Tamannaah has demanded advance payment for the second season association as well to complete the finale shoot of the first season, which is shocking to us as we have not prepared for it. As per the agreed terms, any difference should be dealt with by arbitration but Tamannaah took it to the media recently," IFA's statement reads, as they confirmed about initiating a legal action on this issue. IFA has now approached Bangalore Civil Court and Commercial Court as per the agreement terms.
Television host, anchor Anasuya Bharadwaj was brought in place of Tamannaah Bhatia for the show, after the latter's exit. It remains to be seen how Tamannaah would respond to IFA's claim. MasterChef Telugu airs every Friday and Saturday at 8.30 pm on Gemini TV and is also available for streaming on SunNXT. The celebrity chefs in the show include Sanjay Thumma, Chalapathi Rao and Mahesh Padala.