Laapataa Ladies actor Satendra Soni, who played a pivotal role in Aamir Khan's Laapataa Ladies, has filed an FIR against filmmaker Pushpendra Singh and his wife, actor Pragati Chauhan, alleging non-payment of dues, assault, intimidation and wrongful confinement during the shoot of their film Paid Paalki. The incident dates back to June, when the actor has shared how the filmmaker allegedly refused to pay his fees and even threatened him when he asked for his payment.
On Friday, the All Indian Cine Workers Association backed the actor on this case and posted an official statement on their X account. It read, “The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has extended full support, assistance and guidance to Actor Satendra Soni, known for Laapataa Ladies and several other films and associated with the upcoming Mirzapur, and Actor Shreedhar Dubey, known for Oh My Dog and several other films, in connection with the serious incident involving brutal assault, forced confinement, death threats, intimidation and non-payment of dues during the shooting of the film Paid Paalki in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh.”
"AICWA President Suresh Shyamlal Gupta took up the matter from the very beginning, remained in continuous contact with both actors, approached the concerned authorities and personally supported them throughout the process, leading to the registration of an FIR at Oshiwara Police Station, Mumbai, on 20 August 2026, against Director/Producer Pushpendra Singh and Pragati Chauhan.
Actor Satendra Soni has worked in Laapataa Ladies, which was India’s official entry for the 95th Academy Awards (Oscars), and has worked in several other films. He is also associated with the upcoming Mirzapur. AICWA considers it extremely serious that an established actor could allegedly be subjected to such brutal treatment.
AICWA raises a serious question: If such treatment can allegedly be inflicted on a known and established actor, what happens to smaller actors, technicians and workers who may remain silent because of fear and pressure?
If immediate and strict action is not taken in such cases, it may encourage further intimidation and exploitation of artists and film workers. AICWA therefore demands a comprehensive investigation and strict legal action against anyone found responsible."
During the meeting, the actors informed the Hon’ble Minister about the incident, including the alleged assault on the road, being forcibly taken to the hotel, assault inside a closed room, tearing of their clothes and death threats.
They also informed the Hon’ble Minister that their payments had not been made, and that several other actors, technicians and workers associated with the production had also allegedly remained unpaid.
After hearing the matter, Hon’ble Minister Shri Yogesh Ramdas Kadam immediately contacted DCP Shri Purushottam Karad and directed that the matter be investigated and appropriate action be taken," read the note.
The FIR reportedly invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 115(2), 127(3), 3(5), 351(2) and 352. “AICWA welcomes the registration of the FIR and demands that the investigation be conducted fairly, transparently and without any pressure or influence, with appropriate protection for the complainants and witnesses,” read the statement.
Satendra Soni has played small but notable roles in several well-known projects, including Ayushmann Khurrana's Doctor G, Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor's Bawaal, Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders, and the television show Hello Bachhon. He gained wider recognition after playing a small but pivotal role in Aamir Khan's production Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao. The film was hailed by both critics and audiences and was also India's official entry to the Oscars. It starred Sparsh Shrivastava, Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan in lead roles.
