Ludhiana Based Indian Idol Contestant Drags 2 Entertainment Firms To UT Court
(Sony Music Signs This Singh For Their Label As Well As Independent Music!)
Summons have been issued against Sher Singh of Gypsy Entertainers, Sector 8, Panchkula and Arvinder Nanda, Zoom-In Productions Delhi, by the local court and the matter will come up for hearing on March 3rd.
Ludhiana’s Hardeep Singh, 24, filed a suit against the two for recovery of damages, loss of reputation and setback to his income and career. Hardeep, a professional singer from the region was among the two persons who made it to the top-10 finalists category in the television show’s ninth season.
As per the civil suit submitted before the court of Harleen Pal Singh, civil judge (junior division), the contestant was selected to participate in the show aired by Sony TV and run by Sony Pictures Network Private Limited in December 2016 and that after Hardeep reached the top 8 category, the entertainment firms sent a legal notice on January 20 to the latter with a copy marked to Sony Pictures, Mumbai, alleging breach of agreement on the part of the singer as he performed in Indian Idol show.
The agreement was signed between Hardeep and the firms on July 21, 2016 according to which they would help in launch and promotion of his albums and music videos.
As per the agreement, it was also stated that Rs1 lakh would be spent on Hardeep’s songs and another ?5 lakh for the music video.
(Chandigarh's Gurmeher Grewal To Represent India At International Pageants!)
However, it has been submitted in the suit that not a single penny was spent and neither any album was recorded except for one event in Zirakpur at which Hardeep performed.
Sony network asked Hardeep to bring a no objection certificate (NOC) on January 28, post which Hardeep submitted that the said agreement was void. However, Sony sent an email on February 6 to Hardeep stating that they had the right to disqualify him from the competition in view of the legal notice’ from the private firms.
It has been further alleged that when Hardeep’s family members including his brother and mother tried to convince the firm proprietors to withdraw the notice, the firms demanded Rs 50 lakh for issuing the NOC.
Calling it a blackmailing act, besides causing financial loss and mental harrasment to the contestant, it was also submitted in the suit that Hardeep performed eight singing events under the agreement in lieu of which he only got a cheque of Rs 14,400 which was repeatedly dishonoured.
--HT
