Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Upasana Singh, Sahila Chadha Lead CINTAA Re-Election Results
CINTAA, an association for film and television artistes, held a new election on September 12.
Upasana Singh received the most votes, with Sahila Chadha close behind.
Five other candidates also won seats on the panel.
The election happened after several resignations and disagreements inside the association.
Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure asked a court to stop the election, but the request was rejected.
After the results, Upasana said they were no longer allowed to enter the CINTAA office.
A police complaint was filed over the dispute.
The newly elected members said they now needed to work for and earn the trust of CINTAA members.
Upasana Singh led CINTAA’s re-election with 360 votes, followed by Sahila Chadha with 357.
Vikas Verma, Deepak Parashar, Kunickaa Sadanand, Varsha Usgaonkar Sharma and Nagma Moraji also won.
The September 12 election followed resignations and disagreements within CINTAA’s Executive Committee.
Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure’s plea to stay the election was rejected by the court.
The dispute continued over access to CINTAA premises, official documents and member information.
- Who
- Upasana Singh led the winning CINTAA panel, with Sahila Chadha and five other candidates also elected; the dispute involved former office-bearers Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure.
- What
- CINTAA held re-elections after internal disagreements, resignations and disputes over its office and documents.
- When
- The re-election was held on September 12; results were subsequently announced.
- Where
- The dispute involved the CINTAA office, with a complaint filed at Versova police station.
- Why
- The Federation of Western India Cine Employees called for elections after multiple resignations from CINTAA’s Executive Committee.
Elected Panel’s Position
Former Office-Bearers’ Position
Election legitimacy
Elected Panel’s Position
The election was conducted after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees called for fresh polls following resignations from CINTAA’s Executive Committee.
Former Office-Bearers’ Position
Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure sought a court stay on the re-election, but their plea was rejected.
Access to CINTAA premises
Elected Panel’s Position
Upasana Singh said members informed police that Dhillon and Kolhapure were no longer authorised to enter the premises after the results were approved.
Former Office-Bearers’ Position
Both sides maintained that their actions concerning the office were intended to protect CINTAA members’ personal information.
Office documents
Elected Panel’s Position
The elected side was involved in a dispute after allegations surfaced of an attempt to remove official documents from the CINTAA office.
Former Office-Bearers’ Position
The available reports do not provide a separate detailed account from Dhillon and Kolhapure regarding the allegations.
- Top vote-getter
- Upasana Singh — 360 votes
- Second-place vote-getter
- Sahila Chadha — 357 votes
- Other elected candidates
- Vikas Verma, Deepak Parashar, Kunickaa Sadanand, Varsha Usgaonkar Sharma and Nagma Moraji
- Election date
- September 12
- Election trigger
- Multiple resignations from CINTAA’s Executive Committee
- Court action
- Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure’s request to stay the re-election was rejected
- Police complaint
- A complaint was filed at Versova police station over the office dispute