In a dramatic turn of events, TV actor Meera Deosthale has publicly accused producer Mahesh Pandey of withholding her dues from the abruptly cancelled show “Vidya.” This revelation comes after a prolonged four-year struggle to receive her rightful payment.
Meera, who is currently starring in “Kuch Reet Jagat Aisi Hai,” took to social media on Wednesday to express her frustration. She claimed that despite her persistent efforts, a substantial amount of Rs 3.78 lakh remains unpaid since “Vidya” ended on Colors TV. Meera’s frustration has grown to the extent that she recently spoke with The Times of India and later took to Instagram to detail her ordeal.
According to Meera, while a part of the pending dues, amounting to Rs 8 lakhs, was cleared after she approached the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) in 2022, the remaining amount has not been settled. She also mentioned filing an FIR against Mahesh Pandey in May 2023, which has yet to yield any results. Adding to her woes, Mahesh has reportedly ghosted her and failed to pay the TDS (Tax Deducted at Source), which has now resulted in a penalty for Meera.
Responding to these allegations, Mahesh Pandey contended that he had paid Meera Rs 83 lakhs, including GST. He questioned why he would withhold Rs 3 lakh if he had already paid such a significant amount. Mahesh explained that the abrupt ending of “Vidya” caused him a financial loss of around Rs 4 crore. He expressed his disappointment over Meera’s decision to involve the association, citing ongoing financial losses in his company. Despite this, he maintained that he intends to clear her dues when feasible and is not asking for a reduction, a common practice among producers when shows end unexpectedly.
Meera fiercely countered Mahesh’s comments on Instagram, highlighting the continuous work of his production house post “Vidya,” including producing “Gupta Brothers” and other shows on Doordarshan. She pointed out that Mahesh worked as a programming head on a leading GEC channel, questioning his claims of financial incapacity. “Making me beg for it is pure harassment,” she declared, stressing that the TDS deducted four years ago remains unpaid to the government.
She further shared her frustration, revealing that she was made to sign a No Objection Certificate (NOC) that allowed the production to receive the final amount from the channel. Trusting Mahesh’s words, she agreed to this, only to be left unpaid. She questioned the authenticity of the so-called full and final settlement, urging for bank statements post-FIR to verify any payments made to her account.
Meera’s outcry has found resonance among other actors. Shaan Mishra also claimed unpaid dues from the same production house. In a previous incident, actor Krishna Mukherjee accused “Shubh Shagun” producer Kundan Singh of withholding her payments. Actor Ali Merchant even disclosed contemplating suicide due to unpaid dues, highlighting a systemic issue in the industry.
Meera’s relentless pursuit for justice underscores the need for financial transparency and accountability in the entertainment industry. Her courage in speaking out may inspire other actors to voice their grievances and demand fair treatment.
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