Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan is contemplating filing a defamation suit against actor Sudhanshu Pandey, who pressed charges of theft and fraud against him and fellow director Sanjay Gupta last week. Pandey has alleged that the duo stole his script for their love story-cum-revenge drama featuring Hrithik Roshan which is set to go on floors next month.
A source says, "Roshan has got in touch with his lawyers for advice on filing the defamation suit. He is in no mood to remain mum over the allegations which threaten to tarnish his name and image in the industry."
The filmmaker will apparently seek Rs 50 crore as damages from Pandey. "The defamation suit is being processed at the moment. Besides, no criminal charges have been pressed against Roshan or Gupta so far," reveals another source.
It was reported that Pandey met Gupta in May and the latter agreed to come on board as director and co-producer of the project. Balaji Telefilms was also keen to join the team as co-producer when approached. Apparently, after one script-reading session, Hrithik gave his nod to do the film, but wanted to run it through Roshan Sr, who then offered to present and produce it under his banner FilmKRAFT Productions. Sudhanshu met the two last October and was said to have been offered two per cent of the profits and take credit as associate producer, but not for the story, screenplay and dialogues.
While Pandey remained unavailable for comment, Roshan Sr says: "Yes, I am filing a criminal defamation suit against him. That's all I can say for now."
