Veteran Bollywood couple Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu have lodged a complaint with the Mumbai police alleging that they were duped by a production house, which promised to get the launch of their recently-released book sponsored.
The book, Dilip Kumar—The Substance And The Shadow , co-authored by Ms. Banu and film journalist Udaya Tara Nayar, was launched in June by Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan in Mumbai.
According to the complaint lodged by the couple, they allege that Suresh Kurpad and Anand Rahuilkar of Samara Productions approached them in February through Ms. Udaya. The production house offered the proposal of sponsoring their book release event claiming that they would raise Rs. 5 crores by doing so. But the couple later learnt that the so-called 'sponsors' listed never entered into a contract with the production house. The production house has allegedly defrauded them of Rs. 5 crore, their complaint stated.
The couple also allege that the production house showed them contracts copies with these sponsors. It also included copy of a cheque to the tune of Rs. 4 crore. The representatives of Samara Productions claimed that they money was deposited in Ms. Banu's account but when the actor inquired with her bank they told her no such credit was made into her account.
Confirming the development, Vikas Sonawane, senior police inspector at Khar police station, told The Hindu that they have received a complaint and investigation is underway. A case will be registered at the appropriate time, he said.
