Actor Soni alleges wages and threats, AICWA demands FIR

An actor has accused a film director of withholding payment and issuing death threats during a shoot in central India, prompting a major film workers' association to call for a police investigation. Actor Satendra Soni, known for his role in the Oscar-nominated film "Laapataa Ladies," made the allegations in an emotional video shared on social media on June 28, 2026.

Soni stated he was called to Maihar, Madhya Pradesh, to work on a film reportedly titled "Ped Palki," directed by Pushpendra Singh. He said he received an advance payment of 50,000 rupees but was not paid his full agreed remuneration after working for approximately eight days. When he inquired about the pending payment, he alleges the situation escalated dramatically.

In his video, Soni claimed director Pushpendra Singh threatened him, telling him to check out of his hotel within ten minutes and warning he would be killed if he was seen there again. Soni further alleged that Singh's wife, Pragati Chauhan, who is also an actress in the film, verbally abused him. He said he left the location in fear, accompanied by two other artists who he said faced a similar ordeal.

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA)...