By Lalit K. Jha, Tampa (Florida), Nov 23: Well-known Bollywood filmmaker Rakesh Roshan is facing a lawsuit in a California court for alleged non-payment of wages to the people that his production company hired during the shooting of Kites at various locations in the US.
In the law suit filed before the California Central District Court Oct 7, people hired by Filmcraft Production and its local agents alleged that they were not being paid their due wages.
"The 13 members of Local 399's bargaining unit working on the production of 'Kites' have not received wages for their work on 'Kites' during the week ending Sep 13, 2008," the lawsuit said.
"In addition, four Local 399 members working on the production of 'Kites' have received no wages for their work on 'Kites' during the week ending Sep 18, 2008," it alleged, seeking justice and adequate compensation from the court.
The lawsuit has been filed on behalf of members formally employed by Filmcraft Productions and its two other US associates - Nevada-based Happy Hours Productions and Bollywood Hollywood Production, based in Florida, besides Rakesh Roshan himself.
A copy of the lawsuit, obtained by IANS, does not mention the amount of wages allegedly not paid by Filmcraft Production and his US associates.
The lawsuit further charges Rakesh Roshan and other defendants of violating California Labor Code and not providing a complete itemised pay slip according to the US laws.
Sources familiar with the lawsuit, said that efforts are now being made for an out of court settlement on this issue by some well-known Bollywood celebrities.
The film stars Hrithik along with Latin actress Barbara Mori in lead roles and is being directed by "Murder" fame director Anurag Basu.
Hrithik plays a street smart scamster in Las Vegas in "Kites", and the film was extensively shot in New Mexico, Las Vegas and Los Angeles in August and September.
The rest of the movie will be shot in Mumbai.
It is slated for June 2009 release.
--- IANS
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