Producer Rakesh Upadhyay is accusing director Soham Shah of stealing his idea behind the film on Gujarati gangster Sharman Munjha and selling it to Sanjay Dutt.
Recently, it was reported that Soham had proposed the film to Sanjay Dutt, and the actor liked it so much that he not only decided to star in it but also produce it.
It is learnt that Rakesh and the director had planned to do the film, then titled Gold with new actor Vikram Bali. Apparently, even the film's budget had been worked out. Our source points out, "We had started work on the script along with writers Neeraj Vora and Manoj Joshi.
In fact, Rakesh also figured out the locations in Gujarat where they could shoot the film. Besides, he's also a good friend of state Chief Minister Narendra Modi's close aide, so it wouldn't have been difficult getting the required permissions."
However, the exact schedule of the film still had to be made depending upon when the remake of Satte Pe Satta (Sanjay Dutt is producing and starring in the film) would be made.
Our source adds, "If Satte Pe Satta was made earlier, we'd have started work on Gold afterwards. And if the remake was scheduled for later, then we could advance our film." However, things changed after the release of Agneepath.
Our source says, "Soham told them that with Agneepath working so well for Sanjay, Satte Pe Satta was to be made soon and that he would direct Gold with Vikram afterwards. It was fine with us until we heard that Soham was making the film on Munjha with Sanjay."
Rakesh says, "Soham told me that he had casually discussed the idea with Sanju and was surprised when he not only liked the film but also decided to produce it.
Soham said he couldn't do anything then. So what could I tell him? Anyways, now I'm making another film with Vikram and it's going to be directed by Pankaj Batra."
On his part, Soham maintained, "Rakesh is a friend, but I was never committed to do a film with him. This film is my idea and I can do it with whoever I feel like."