Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister Vijay Shah has denied reports that he had halted the shooting of Vidya Balan’s upcoming Hindi film Sherni after the actor allegedly declined his dinner invitation.
According to a Times Now report, vehicles of the production team of Balan’s film were stopped from entering a forest in Madhya Pradesh by the District Forest Officer (DFO) of Balaghat, a day after the actor allegedly refused to accept the Minister’s dinner invitation.
However, the Minister told ANI that it was he who had refused to accept a lunch/dinner invite from the film’s crew when they sought permission to shoot.
Was there(Balaghat)on request from those who took permission for shoot & requested me for lunch/dinner. I said not possible now, I'll meet them when I go to Maharashtra. Lunch/dinner was cancelled, shoot wasn't: MP min Vijay Shah on reports of his dinner invitation to Vidya Balan pic.twitter.com/N0f4nJBU73
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2020
The film has run into issues since shooting began in Madhya Pradesh. Shooting had to be stalled in March due to the Covid-19 outbreak, and only resumed end-October. Meanwhile, a few weeks ago actor Vijay Raaz was arrested for allegedly molesting a crew member. Raaz is out on bail, but is no longer a part of the film. After getting bail, the actor left for Mumbai. Vidya Balan, makers or the production team of the film have not issued a statement on the incident as yet.
Balan, along with the rest of the team, has been shooting for Sherni in the jungles of Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat for a few weeks now.
