Kannada heroine Pooja in row with director

Bangalore, Oct 10 (IANS) Kannada actress Pooja Gandhi, whose popularity shot up after the success of "Mungaru Male", is caught in a controversy with prominent producer-director Vishnukanth.

Apparently, she sought changes in the dates for the shooting of "Ganga Kaveri" in Himalayan locations and this irked Vishnukanth.

The filmmaker alleged that Pooja refused to work in the movie after attending a photo shoot for the film's publicity and that her non-cooperation created serious problems for the shooting schedule.

He took the matter to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce where it was settled. Pooja has returned him the cheque paid as an advance against her fee for the film.

"I have already taken the necessary permission from the authorities of the states concerned for the shoot. Any change in the dates will entail heavy additional expenditure besides the inconvenience of seeking permission from these authorities all over again," Vishnukanth told media.

"I have settled the matter in the chamber, but enough damage has been done by Pooja. I am worried about what will happen to other Kannada film producers if she continues with her behaviour," he added.

However, Pooja denies that she ever signed an agreement containing a shooting schedule.

She said: "I had made it clear I had some prior commitments and had to finish the shooting of films like 'Tata Birla' and 'Accident' and only then could be definite about the dates.

"I was told that I could sign an agreement without bothering about the dates, which could be discussed later. But now I find that all sorts of lies are being spread to defame me."

Pooja has made a mark on the big screen in a short period and has worked with big stars, including Ganesh, Puneet Raj Kumar, Ramesh Arvind and Upendra.

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Mungaaru Male