Actress Meera Deosthale has recently made a startling revelation regarding the non-payment for her work on the 2019 television show “Vidya.” Despite her persistent efforts over several months, including contacting the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) and lodging a police complaint against producer Mahesh Pandey, she has yet to receive her full salary.
Reports indicate that Meera disclosed that the show concluded in March 2020, yet a significant portion of her dues remains unpaid. The production house still owes her ₹3,78,000. Initially, the total owed was around ₹8 lakh, but only a partial payment was made after she approached CINTAA in July 2022. In May 2023, she filed a complaint at Bangur Nagar Police Station, but no action has been taken so far. Additionally, Mahesh Pandey has ceased responding to her messages and calls. Moreover, the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) for her payment has not been settled, leading to additional penalties.
In response to these allegations, Mahesh Pandey claimed that Meera signed a full and final (FNF) settlement, asserting that he can provide bank statements as proof of payment.
When contacted by a leading daily for further clarification, Meera countered, “These allegations are false. He coerced me into signing the FNF document on September 10, 2020, stating that the channel would release the payment only upon receiving it. He even issued us seven post-dated cheques, repeatedly instructing us not to deposit them to avoid bouncing. Let him show the bank statement if he has indeed cleared the payment. I have all the documents and the post-dated cheques as proof.”
Meera’s ongoing struggle to recover her dues highlights the broader issue of non-payment and accountability in the entertainment industry.
