Has Ekta Kapoor done a U-turn?

Producer Ekta Kapoor and her company Balaji Telefilms are facing a huge problem. Ekta, who is producing Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai allegedly based on the life of gangster Haji Mastan, has angered his descendants.

Now, they have sent a legal notice to Ekta accusing her of tarnishing Haji’s reputation through their promotions. They also accuse that the company hasn’t taken any permission from the family to go ahead before shooting which is the usual norm for a bio-pic or an inspired from real-life plot.

The family is also offended that the film is telling people that Haji was a smuggler with links to Dawood Ibrahim which isn’t a reality. Controversy-hit Balaji and Ekta are looking to do a U-turn now.

Apparently they have communicated to Haji’s family that the film is not based on the alleged Mumbai kingpin. The cast is looking to avoid mentioning Haji’s name in interviews. However, Haji’s family is not going soft on their stance as they are looking to sue the production house.

Hussain Sharif, Haji’s nephew, reveals, “We are not letting them get off the hook so quickly. We are going to sue them for the problems they have already caused by piggy-backing on Haji Mastan’s image and worst of all they have tarnished it. Haji wasn’t a smuggler as projected. We have asked for evidence that proves it. We are also asking them why they are promoting the film saying it is Haji’s life. They haven’t showed us the script and haven’t even asked for permission to make a film on his life.”

He adds, “The script is factually incorrect. It is extremely defamatory what they have done. They have reverted that the film is not on Haji but why is then everyone related to the film including the cast like Ajay saying that he is playing Haji and his look is inspired by him. It’s atrocious what people do to get their film in the news.”

Ekta or any spokesperson from Balaji Telefilms remained unavailable for a comment.