Suneel Darshan - monster in sheep's clothing!

Mumbai, Oct 17 (IANS) Bollywood filmmaker Suneel Darshan, who's currently shooting the musical "Shakalaka Boom Boom", is described as a "monster in sheep's clothing" by the editor of a trade magazine.

According to Vikas Mohan of Super Cinema, the shooting for Darshan's film came to a standstill because of non-payment of dues.

But the director, who is horrified by the story, denied it saying: "This is nothing but an attempt to unnecessarily malign me. This is part of a vilification campaign being run by the editor of a trade magazine."

"Last week he wrote I was a 'monster in sheep's clothing' - whatever that means - because he says Upen Patel was being instigated by me not to complete Vipul Shah's film. Please ask Upen Patel when I've stopped him from doing anyone else's film. This man from the trade magazine has been attacking me," Darshan told IANS.

So what's the truth about payments of the workers on Darshan's set?

"I'm being accused of not having made two payments. Which payments? I received a bill on Oct 4. It took me a day to clear it. Is that unjust? Yes, this union man came on the sets and instigated my workers. I was immediately called by the film association and cleared the bills thereafter."

Another story suggests that newcomer Shirlyn Chopra and item girl Isha Koppikar turned down roles in "Shakalaka Boom Boom".

Darshan retaliated, "You call them for a two-day role and they say they only want to do the heroine's part. I had offered Isha a role as Dalip Tahil's young wife. She begged off saying she had been cast as a heroine in Ram Gopal Varma's film and she had 'Don' around the corner. I said, 'No problem' and we parted amicably. Shirlyn was offered a bit role as Kangana's friend."

Darshan fumed, "Next thing I know Vikas Mohan says even these starlets aren't willing to work with me. This man has been trying to twist my arm for quite long. An issue was made out of a non-issue. But I won't get intimidated.

"There has been no delay in payments to my workers. And we're shooting on a huge set. We shot till Saturday morning and on Sunday as well.

"The same guys who came to disrupt my shooting also tried to disrupt David Dhawan's shooting. But my payment wasn't delayed."

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Shakalaka Boom Boom