Rakul Preet Singh has opened up about one of the toughest phases her husband Jackky Bhagnani’s family faced, revealing that Pooja Entertainments went through significant financial strain after a series of big-budget films underperformed. The actor spoke candidly during a recent conversation on Humans of Bombay, offering a grounded perspective on the headlines surrounding the production house last year.
“A Very Challenging Time for the Family”
Rakul admitted that while the situation was difficult, much of what circulated online was exaggerated or simply incorrect.
“It was a very challenging time for the family and for him,” she said. “A lot of things said in the news weren’t even correct. No company is shut… Yes, it’s a fact that two to three films didn’t work, and it was a huge blow that brought a lot of financial loss — but that happens with every producer. It even happened to Amitabh Bachchan at one point.”
Her comments come months after reports claimed that the Bhagnanis had to mortgage multiple properties and restructure their operations.
Choosing Gratitude Over Comparison
Rakul shared that she dealt with the period by shifting her mindset rather than dwelling on setbacks.
“Any situation has two ways of looking at it,” she said. “I can either focus on what went wrong or be grateful that I have a roof over my head and a healthy body. I can say, ‘My film didn’t do ₹500 crore but someone else’s did,’ or I can remember that I’m working and people are liking my work.”
Her remarks underline the balanced, measured approach she says carried her through the uncertainty.
What Went Wrong at Pooja Entertainments
Pooja Entertainments — led by Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky Bhagnani — saw three consecutive post-pandemic releases struggle at the box office:
- Mission Raniganj
- Ganapath
- Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (reportedly made on a ₹400-crore budget)
The failure of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was particularly damaging. Producer Vashu Bhagnani later filed an FIR against director Ali Abbas Zafar, accusing him of inflating the production budget and causing financial mismanagement.
Amid these setbacks, reports surfaced that the company had laid off almost 80% of its staff and mortgaged several assets to manage an estimated debt approaching ₹250 crore. Payments to staff were eventually settled — reportedly with help from lead actors Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff.
Responding to Bankruptcy Rumours
As speculation grew, Vashu Bhagnani publicly denied rumours that the banner was headed for bankruptcy. He clarified that their seven-storey office building in Mumbai wasn’t sold but undergoing redevelopment, pushing back against the narrative that the company was collapsing.
Final Words
Rakul’s comments offer a rare, honest look at the ripple effects of high-budget failures in Bollywood — and how producers often weather storms far away from public view. For the Bhagnanis, the phase seems to have been a challenging but temporary setback, one the family appears determined to move past with resilience.
