Actor and casting director Abhishek Banerjee, who is currently basking in the success of his recent releases Stree 2 and Vedaa, has found himself at the center of an unexpected controversy. The issue arose after comments he made in an interview were misconstrued, leading to speculation about his relationship with Karan Johar's Dharma Productions.

The Origin of the Controversy

The controversy began when Abhishek mentioned that his company, Casting Bay, was removed from the casting process for the Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas-starrer Agneepath. He explained that they couldn't align with the vision of the film's director, Karan Malhotra, during the casting process. This statement quickly spiraled into a narrative suggesting that Dharma Productions had shut its doors on Banerjee and his associate Anmol Ahuja.

Abhishek Banerjee's Clarification

Taking to Instagram on Monday, Abhishek issued a clarification to address the growing speculation. In a heartfelt message shared via the Stories section, he expressed disappointment over how his words had been twisted.

`This week I have been blessed with two releases and one controversy,` Banerjee began. He addressed the reports claiming that Dharma Productions had fired his company during the casting of Agneepath, stating, `Unfortunately, this situation has been completely misrepresented as accusatory on our part.`

He further explained that their dismissal from the project was due to their inability to match the vision that director Karan Malhotra had for the film. `We were quite young at the time, around 20 to 23 years old, with little to no experience in casting for a major commercial film,` Banerjee continued. `This perhaps led to us misinterpreting Mr. Malhotra's requirements for the project.`

No Ill-Will Towards Dharma Productions

Banerjee was keen to clarify that there was no ill-will towards Dharma Productions or Karan Johar. He stated, `I have not accused or suggested any wrongdoing on the part of Dharma Productions. In fact, I have deep respect for Dharma Productions and Karan Johar.` He emphasized that while some reports falsely claimed Karan Johar was personally involved in their dismissal, the decision was actually made by the director's team, and Banerjee and his associate took full responsibility for their mistakes.

A Relationship Built on Respect

In his statement, Banerjee also highlighted the positive working relationship he and his company have had with Dharma Productions since the incident. He noted that despite the setback, they went on to collaborate on several projects with Dharma, including Ok Jaanu, Student of the Year 2, Kalank, and more recent films like Kill and Gyarah Gyarah. Banerjee himself was cast as an actor in Dharma's Ajeeb Daastaans.

`I shared this story to encourage young people that even if you fail or hit a roadblock, you can always bounce back, as we did,` Banerjee wrote, underscoring the importance of perseverance. He concluded his message with a touch of humor, saying, `PS: I am not putting this out for the hamper,` referencing Karan Johar's popular talk show Koffee with Karan.

A Lesson in Resilience

Abhishek Banerjee's clarification serves as a reminder that setbacks can be learning experiences, and strong professional relationships can endure even after misunderstandings. His message is one of resilience and respect, reinforcing the value of moving forward despite challenges. As Banerjee continues to enjoy the success of his current projects, it's clear that his journey in the industry is far from over.