Mumbai: In a new twist to the case of alleged Bollywood nexus with the underworld, producer Nasim Rizvi has contested the claim of financier Bharat Shah over the collection of Rs 12 crore from sale proceeds of tainted film "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke" attached by a special court.

Rizvi, in a letter from central prison, informed the court that Rs 12 crore collected by the court receiver after releasing the film actually belonged to him as he was the producer and that Shah had no legal right to claim the amount.

Rizvi contended that Shah had financed Rs 1.5 cr for making the film and he had repaid the money with interest through cheques. He said Shah did not have any right to negotiate with distributors or any other person on music and video rights of the film.

Therefore, agreements between Shah's firm and others were void as he had not given any power of attorney to Shah, Rizvi contended.

Shah had earlier claimed that the entire collection of Rs 12 crore belonged to him as he had financed the movie. He also said that Rs four crore received by him from the sale of music rights was ploughed back for making the feature film.

Police alleged that the film was made by Rizvi and financed by Shah at the instance of Pakistan-based gangster Chhota Shakeel. On a police plea, the court had attached the film and appointed a court receiver to release the film and deposit the amount in government treasury.

The court has taken Rizvi's letter on record and would decide on the issue at the time of final verdict, prosecutor Rohini Salian said.

PTI