Preity Zinta who has been accused of non-payment of dues by Tyrewala for his writing work in her ill-fated production Ishkq In Paris not only denies owing any money to Tyrewala she also accuses him of non-delivery of required work.
Shooting in Udaipur with Sunny Deol for Bhaiyyaji Superhit Preity, known to be absolutely above-board in her professional dealings, reacted saying, `He (Abbas Tyrewala) has lied.
He has deposited a cheque that was supposed to be used only if and when he did the work required for our film. This, he did not do. So we don't owe him any money at all. `
Preity further states that Tyrewala didn't possess any written document regarding his agreement with Preity's production house. `He signed no papers, did no work for us and yet took a cheque from us that was not meant to be taken. If he has any any proof or any paperwork proving he has done any work for us he is most welcome to take a payment. `
Preity claims she stopped Tyrewala's payment because he did not deliver the work for which he was hired. `Yes, we stopped his payment because we didn't owe him anything. Now he claims a cheque for work that he did not do has bounced. `
On making inquiries I discovered that EVERY single person who worked on and in Ishkq in Paris has been paid.
Says Preity, `Yes, we've paid everyone. If we owed this guy (Tyrewala) we would have paid him too. I cannot and will not pay someone for work he has not done. He abused my trust and goodwill and took a cheque from me which was meant to be used only if he worked for us. `
Preity says Tyrewala is guilty of breach of trust. `I did not register a case of a stolen cheque as I didn't want to embarrass him. But now the matter is in court and it's all on record. I won't be blackmailed just because I am a known face and name. `
Preity has proof of Tyrewala's allegedly fraudulent monetary claims. `We have submitted our proof to the court. We will take appropriate action against him now that he has taken the matter to court and involved the media for publicity. I am not stupid to put myself at risk with a bounced cheque for a relatively meager sum of money. `