Indian TV show cancelled in South Africa

- Planet Bollywood Special Correspondant           Let us know what you think about this story

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)spokesman Kaizer Kganyago told The Times newspaper that a probe is under way into the allegation of the crew of the programme called 'D'fusion'. Kganyago said the programme was withdrawn two weeks ago.

The series is produced by Johannesburg-based Ebrahim Patel of AfroElectro Film, which won the tender earlier this year to make the 26-episode series on Indian lifestyle.

The probe comes shortly after the SABC's commissioning editor, Shanitha Rathilal-Bhageloo, received several complaints from the production crew.

The production crew claimed they were repeatedly told by Patel that he was still waiting for payment from the SABC and was therefore unable to pay them.

Patel has also been accused of issuing cheques that were not honoured, The Times reported.

But Patel dismissed the claims this week, saying the series was a short-term pilot project which he "handed back to the SABC due to other long-term priorities and commitments".

"I have a production house that receives and processes all payments. If there are any vendors out there who are due for payment, they should kindly submit their invoices to ensure that they receive payment," he said.

A crew member said it was sad that a show aimed at the Indian market had to be withdrawn as result of poor production-related financial pressures.

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