No obligations towards Neerja’s kin, say co-producers

Mumbai, June 28

Fox Star Studios, “Neerja” co-producers, has distanced itself from the controversial disagreement between main producers Blingg Unplugged and the Bhanot family over the sharing of profits, saying they do not have any contractual obligations towards the family.

The family of flight purser has moved the court accusing the producers of the national award-winning movie of “criminal conspiracy” and going back on their word of sharing 10 per cent of the net profit.

In an official statement, the studio said the life rights and permissions of “Neerja” were obtained by Blingg Unplugged even before they came on board to produce the movie that released last year.

“Fox Star Studios is extremely proud of its film “Neerja” and holds the Bhanot family in great esteem. However, the facts are that the Studios does not have any contractual obligations towards the Bhanot family as the life rights and permissions were obtained by Blingg Unplugged from the late Neerja Bhanot’s family long before Fox Star Studios came on board to produce the film,” the statement read.

“Neerja”, starring Sonam Kapoor in the titular role, was backed by Fox Star India. It had grossed an estimated Rs 125 crore in worldwide earnings. The studio called the Bhanot family's decision to move court “unfortunate” and said they hoped Atul Kasbekar's Blingg Unplugged and the family were able to resolve their differences soon.

Neerja was killed two days before her 23rd birthday while trying to save passengers during a terrorist hijack of a Pan-Am flight at the Karachi airport on September 5, 1986. — PTI