Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Laapataa Ladies Actor Files FIR Alleging Assault and Non-Payment
Actor Satendra Soni complained to the police about what he says happened during a film shoot.
He says filmmaker Pushpendra Singh and actor Pragati Chauhan promised him Rs 3 lakh but paid only Rs 50,000 in advance.
Soni says the film set in Madhya Pradesh had poor food, water, toilets and places to rest.
He also says people made fun of him and took photographs because he has dwarfism.
He alleges that he was threatened, assaulted and held against his will.
Actor Shridhar Dubey reportedly decided to leave the project with him.
The actors called the police and later returned to Mumbai with police protection.
Soni then filed a Zero FIR under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The accusations still need to be independently established.
Satendra Soni filed a Zero FIR against filmmaker Pushpendra Singh and actor Pragati Chauhan over alleged non-payment, assault, intimidation and wrongful confinement.
Soni said he was promised Rs 3 lakh for Paid Paalki after receiving Rs 50,000 as an advance.
He alleged poor working conditions, including stale food, inadequate sanitation, limited rest facilities and nearly 16-hour workdays.
Soni also alleged harassment related to his dwarfism, including unwanted photographs and verbal abuse.
The All Indian Cine Workers Association supported Soni and Shridhar Dubey; the allegations have not been independently verified and no response from the accused is reported.
- Who
- Actor Satendra Soni filed the complaint against filmmaker Pushpendra Singh and actor Pragati Chauhan; actor Shridhar Dubey was also involved in leaving the project.
- What
- Soni filed a Zero FIR alleging unpaid dues, assault, intimidation, wrongful confinement and harassment related to his dwarfism.
- When
- The FIR was registered on August 20, 2026, according to the All Indian Cine Workers Association; the alleged incident and Soni’s Instagram account were dated June 27, 2026 in the reports.
- Where
- The alleged incidents occurred during filming in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh, and the Zero FIR was registered at Oshiwara Police Station in Mumbai.
- Why
- Soni says the dispute arose over unpaid compensation, alleged mistreatment and demands that he continue filming.
Complainant and supporters
Accused filmmakers’ reported position
Payment dispute
Complainant and supporters
Soni alleges that he was promised Rs 3 lakh but received only Rs 50,000 and that his remaining dues were not paid.
Accused filmmakers’ reported position
No response from Pushpendra Singh or Pragati Chauhan is included in the reports, so their account of the payment dispute is unavailable.
Conditions and treatment on set
Complainant and supporters
Soni alleges inadequate food, water, sanitation and rest facilities, long working hours, harassment over his dwarfism and unwanted photographs.
Accused filmmakers’ reported position
The accused’s response to these allegations is not reported, and the claims have not been independently verified.
Events leading to the FIR
Complainant and supporters
Soni alleges threats, assault and wrongful confinement after he and Shridhar Dubey decided to leave the project; AICWA says it helped the actors pursue the case.
Accused filmmakers’ reported position
No contrary account from the filmmakers is provided. Soni said police asked both sides to resolve the dispute, but he alleged that no settlement occurred.
- Complainant
- Satendra Soni, a 27-year-old actor from Jabalpur who says acting is his only source of income
- Accused
- Filmmaker Pushpendra Singh and actor Pragati Chauhan
- Film
- Paid Paalki, earlier titled Shubh Sandesh
- Agreed remuneration
- Rs 3 lakh for 10 days, reportedly at Rs 30,000 per day
- Advance paid
- Rs 50,000, according to Soni
- FIR provisions
- Sections 115(2), 127(3), 3(5), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Support
- The All Indian Cine Workers Association said it was supporting Soni and Shridhar Dubey
