New Delhi: Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, one of India’s oldest production companies, declared a war against paid reviews and alleged extortion for positive publicity. The official Instagram page of the production house released a statement about the company’s stand regarding fair reviews and malicious practices in the industry.
“We recently came across evidence — including call recordings — indicating that a few individuals were demanding money and threatening to malign the reputation of our films, directors, and lead actors if their demands were not met. We believe such behaviour warrants investigation by the appropriate authorities. Accordingly, we have referred the matter to the relevant investigative agencies for lawful action,” read the statement.
It is signed off by the production house’s legal advisor, Adv Ravi Suryawanshi, Managing Partner, Bar & Brief Attorneys.
Industry-wide outrage
The production house added that its statement is directed at people who follow such corrupt practices and not independent reviewers or YouTubers. “We value honest work and wholeheartedly welcome their contributions to the healthy progress of the film industry,” it read.
Earlier in the month, the Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) threatened legal action against influencers engaging in ‘acts of extortion’ through negative reviews.
“The Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), the preeminent association representing the interests of over 375 leading film and television producers in India, after having observed over last few years, an alarming trend where certain social media influencers are engaging in predatory practices by threatening to release malicious and disparaging reviews or reaction videos of films, series, and other audio—visual content, coupled with demands for payment from producers,” read the statement shared by IFTPC on X.
The IFTPC represents the interests of over 375 leading film and television producers in India.
Later, the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association ( IMPPA) and the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) also voiced concerns over the issue of paid media reviews.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)