Priyanka Chopra was the first Bollywood star to reportedly file a case against absconding jewellery magnate, Nirav Modi. Her legal team has allegedly charged him with defrauding the ‘Quantico’ star and not clearing her dues for an endorsement deal that also featured Sidharth Malhotra.
Ever since Modi’s name turned up in the Punjab National Bank’s Rs.11,300 crore fraud before which he had already left the country, other B-town stars are also jumping into the fray.
There were rumours that Bollywood heartthrob Sidharth Malhotra had also dragged the owner of the luxury jewellery brand to court over non-payment of dues. However, while these reports were not confirmed, Kangana Ranaut and Bipasha Basu have now come forward alleging non-payment and breach of contract issues.
Reports claim that jewellery brand Gitanjali Gems, founded by Nirav’s maternal uncle Mehul Choksi, hasn’t yet paid Kangana her full dues for endorsing Nakshatra, one of the premium Gitanjali brands. Mehul Choksi is a co-accused in the banking scam. Speaking to Economic Times, Kangana’s spokesperson said, “There is outstanding due on Kangana’s Nakshatra endorsement, beyond the stipulated contract.” Kangana was first seen as the face of Nakshatra in 2016. Besides Kangana, Katrina Kaif and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan too have endorsed Nakshatra.
Now Bipasha Basu, who endorsed Gili, has also accused the brand of using her photos even after the expiry of the contract. She maintained, “My managers then tried their best to stop Gili from using my pictures post my contractual period… but even though we sent them letters, they continued to use my pictures internationally too, because of which I lost many jewellery endorsements. Post my contract, for a couple of years till now, Gili used my pics even though legally they can’t.” It may be recalled that Bipasha had worked with the brand in the year 2008.
Kriti Sanon is the current face of Gili, but there has been no statement from her so far.
