Producer Ekta Kapoor is facing fresh controversy after several vendors allegedly accused her production house of delaying payments linked to Bhooth Bangla. The Akshay Kumar-starrer horror-comedy has emerged as one of the biggest Bollywood hits of 2026, but reports now claim that some crew vendors are still waiting for their dues.
The allegations surfaced shortly after Ekta Kapoor praised Akshay Kumar, director Priyadarshan and the cast of Bhooth Bangla on Instagram. She thanked the team individually and even called the film the biggest hit of her career. However, a Mid-day report claimed that multiple vendors associated with the project have not received complete payments despite the film’s massive box office success.
Ekta Kapoor Faces Non-Payment Claims
According to the report, some vendors alleged that payments worth lakhs are still pending. One vendor reportedly claimed dues of Rs 30 lakh remain unpaid, while another alleged non-payment of nearly Rs 18 lakh.
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The report further stated that delayed vendor payments have become common in the film industry. Once a film releases and becomes successful, smaller crew members often struggle to recover pending invoices from production houses.
Another vendor allegedly claimed that top actors and primary crew members are prioritised during payment clearances, while several backend workers are left waiting for months.
Amid the controversy, Ekta Kapoor-owned Balaji Motion Pictures denied the allegations and issued a statement defending its payment process. The production house said, “Balaji Telefilms Limited has fulfilled all its contractual payment obligations in relation to various projects undertaken by the company.”
Bhooth Bangla Emerges As Major Box Office Hit
Despite the controversy, Bhooth Bangla continues to perform strongly at the box office. Released on April 17, 2026, the horror-comedy marked Akshay Kumar’s reunion with Priyadarshan after nearly 16 years.
The film reportedly crossed Rs 232 crore worldwide and became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year. Family audiences especially connected with the movie’s mix of horror, slapstick comedy and nostalgia.
The story follows Arjun Acharya, played by Akshay Kumar, who returns to his ancestral palace in Mangalpur for his sister’s wedding. However, the family soon discovers that the town is haunted by a dangerous demonic force called Vadhusur.
Fans were particularly excited to see Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan reunite after delivering classics like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa. The film also featured Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Manoj Joshi, Asrani, Tabu and Wamiqa Gabbi in important roles.
While critics gave mixed reviews to the film’s runtime and pacing, Bhooth Bangla still managed to become a “clean hit” due to strong audience support.
