Subhash Ghai files plea to review rent order

April 26, 2012 - 6:14 PM IST

Bollywood's Showman Subhash Ghai, who has been facing rough weather due to the land dispute of his acting school 'Whistling Woods', has now filed a review petition before the Bombay High Court against the order that has directed him to pay Rs 79 crore as rent to Film City Studio. The studio had issued a notice to 'Whistling Woods' to repay the rent but no deadline has been decided upon so far.

Film City has taken back its 14.5 acre land from Ghai and is now considering renting out the said land for shooting purposes. The Bombay High Court had asked Ghai's school to return the 14.5 acre land right away and the remaining in 2014, after the school's current batch passes out. Shyam Tagade (Film City Studio's Managing Director) said that Ghai has still not replied to the notice on rent, though they have not set any deadline on it. He also added that as per the court order, Ghai will have to pay additional 6% interest if there is any delay. Meanwhile, the studio has put up a boundary wall on the land that has been returned by Whistling Woods and the entrance of the same has now been shifted to the east side of the school. On his part, Subhash Ghai said that while Shyam Tagade is doing his job, they (Whistling Woods) are doing theirs and that they shall knock on the court's door repeatedly for seeking justice since they are not at fault. He strongly added that Whistling Woods is a global institute made by public money for public interest with full dedication and honesty.

Meanwhile, a committee of industry experts has been invited by the Film Studio to assess the building. Rumors are abuzz that if the cost of construction and other investments and expenditure made by the school is more than the rent demanded, the government will be paying the difference to Ghai's school.

Tags : Subhash Ghai