Actors Satendra Soni, Pankaj Sharma and Shreedhar Dubey, known for their work in Laapataa Ladies and Homebound, have alleged that they were threatened and forced to leave a film shoot in Madhya Pradesh after raising concerns about pending payments.

The controversy surfaced after Satendra Soni shared an emotional video on Instagram, claiming that a disagreement over unpaid dues escalated into a frightening situation that left the actors fearing for their safety.

According to Soni, he had joined the project after receiving a signing amount of Rs 50,000. However, after completing eight days of shooting, he approached the filmmaker regarding the remaining payment. The actor alleged that instead of receiving clarity on his dues, he was asked to leave the project.

In the video, Soni claimed that he and his colleagues faced intimidation after bringing up the payment issue. He alleged that they were told to vacate the hotel and were subjected to threats during the confrontation.

The actor's emotional appeal quickly gained attention online, prompting concern from members of the film fraternity and fans.

Hours later, Soni shared another video alongside fellow actors Pankaj Sharma and Shreedhar Dubey. The trio informed followers that they had safely returned to Mumbai after receiving assistance from industry contacts and the Madhya Pradesh Police.

Thanking everyone who helped them during the episode, the actors said they were relieved to be out of the situation and safely back home.

Who are the actors involved?

Satendra Soni and Pankaj Sharma gained visibility through Kiran Rao's critically acclaimed Laapataa Ladies, produced by Aamir Khan. Soni appeared as a shop assistant in the film, while Sharma portrayed the father of one of the lead characters. The film received widespread praise and was selected as India's official entry to the Oscars.

Shreedhar Dubey, meanwhile, earned recognition for his performance as Vikas Tripathi in Homebound, a role that brought him wider attention among audiences and critics.