Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi jailed 2 years for bounced cheques, fined ₹2 crore

Renowned Indian filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi has been sentenced to two years imprisonment by a Jamnagar court over bounced cheques amounting to ₹1 crore.

The case was filed by prominent industrialist and shipping magnate Ashok Lal, who claimed he had received 10 cheques for ₹10 lakh each from Santoshi which were dishonoured by the bank.

According to Lal's lawyer Piyush Bhojani, the businessman had contributed ₹1 crore to Santoshi's upcoming film Lahore 1947. In return, Santoshi issued the 10 cheques to Lal totalling the ₹1 crore amount. However, when deposited, the cheques bounced due to lack of funds.

Lal alleges he tried to contact Santoshi regarding the bounced payment but received no response. This led him to file a complaint under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

In a Saturday hearing, the Jamnagar court convicted Santoshi under the Act and sentenced him to two years in jail. He has also been ordered to repay double the ₹1 crore amount owed to Lal.

Lahore 1947, featuring Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta, is being produced by Aamir Khan Productions and marks the first collaboration between Santoshi, Deol and Khan. The case has cast uncertainty over the film's production and release as Santoshi faces imprisonment.

Film industry insiders say cheque bouncing is not uncommon between producers and financiers. However, Lal's harsh step to file a criminal complaint reflects poorly on Santoshi's credibility. The case serves as a warning to filmmakers to honour financial commitments or risk severe legal consequences.