Actor Vivek Oberoi has filed a complaint of fraud against three of his business partners for allegedly defrauding him of Rs. 1.55 crore. Vivek alleged that the accused made him invest money in an event and film production firm but used the money for wrongful self-gain. The MIDC (Bombay) police are investigating the matter.
Vivek and his wife, Priyanka, formed Oberoi Organic LLP in April 2017 for producing, buying and selling organic products. Later, Vivek partnered with Sanjay Saha for the business of organising events in the film industry. Between July and September 2020, the business purpose of Oberoi Organic LLP as also its name were changed and converted into Anandita Entertainment LLP. The aim of the new firm was to organise events in the film industry and produce films.
Sanjay came in as partner and so did his mother, Nandita Saha. The name of one Radhika Nanda, known to Sanjay Saha, was also added as a partner while Priyanka Oberoi was made to resign. After six months, the actor himself exited from the partnership and replaced his share (33.33%) and position with his firm, Oberoi Mega Entertainment LLP. Till November 2021, Vivek is said to have invested Rs. 95.72 lakh in Anandita Entertainment LLP.
In February 2021, Sanjay Saha and Oberoi decided to produce a film titled Ganshe, and signed Nawazuddin Siddiqui for it by paying him a signing amount of Rs. 51 lakh. The writer and director were also signed. Vivek and Sanjay were in negotiations with Zee5 for releasing the film digitally.
In early 2022, Vivek Oberoi realised that Sanjay had misused the firm’s funds. Vivek Oberoi told the police that the firm’s manager corroborated the same. On further enquiry, Vivek learnt that Sanjay Saha, Nandita Saha and Radhika Nanda had allegedly misused Rs. 58.56 lakh for personal expenses such as paying for insurance, buying jewellery, drawing salary, etc.
Later, the actor discovered that Sanjay had formed a company, Anandita Studios Pvt. Ltd., and had lied to the officers in Zee5 that it was Anandita Studios Pvt. Ltd. which was producing Ganshe. On learning this, Vivek informed Nawazuddin about the fraud, following which the latter returned Rs. 51 lakh to the former.
Vivek has alleged that Sanjay and the other accused also pocketed around Rs. 60 lakh which the actor and their company got as payment for Vivek’s appearances at various events and programmes. Vivek then decided to file a police complaint.
The MIDC police has booked Sanjay Saha, Nandita Saha and Radhika Nanda under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, banker, merchant or agent), 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC.