‘We’re lawful owners of Chunnari Chunnari’

Ramesh Taurani and David Dhawan’s team issues statement on Vashu’s claims

Filmmaker David Dhawan and producer Ramesh Taurani have finally broken their silence over the claims made by Vashu Bhagnani, tagging it as a “smear campaign driven by personal vendetta.”

A statement on Wednesday was issued by the makers, where it stated that a “series of baseless allegations have been made against us by Vashu Bhagnani.” “It is amply clear to us that this is a smear campaign driven by personal vendetta, intended to derail the release of our film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai,” the statement on behalf of Taurani and Dhawan read. 

It mentioned that their association with Bhagnani dates back to 1995. “When we generously offered him a 50 percent partnership and a producer credit on a project for which we had laid out all the groundwork. Coolie No. 1 went on to become a massive box office hit and gave Bhagnani a kick-start in the industry.” 

“Over the years, we continued to extend our heartfelt support and good wishes to him. It is out of respect for this long-standing relationship that we chose to remain silent until now.” 

“However, Mr. Bhagnani remains determined to spread misinformation via various platforms including social media. Suspiciously, he has also chosen to file a legal complaint in Kathihar court in Bihar - over 2000 kms away from Mumbai. He decided to take legal action against all associated with our film rather than engage in direct dialogue,” the statement read. 

Taurani and Dhawan, in the statement, mentioned that they “are deeply disheartened and disappointed” by Bhagnani’s conduct. They mentioned that they are the “lawful owners” of the songs Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai. 

“We urge the public to not pay heed to such targeted negativity. We maintain that we are the absolute and lawful owners of the songs Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai. Since this matter is sub judice, this will be the only statement we shall be making at this time.

“We have full faith in the legal system of our country and are confident that justice will prevail. To our beloved audiences, we promise a complete David Dhawan entertainer on the 5th of June, in a cinema near you. Satyameva Jayate. Team Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.”