August 1: Resolution of a backstage feud over finances of a teleserial has brought former Prime Minister of India, late Morarji Desai, back to life once again.The teleserial Morarji had been abruptly taken off the air after telecast of ten episodes, in the beginning of this year. The disruption was caused by the differences and resultant litigation between the producer-financer Nitin Mehta and co-producer Devendra Khandelwal. It is learnt that the warring parties have now arrived at an out-of-the-court settlement which was filed in the Bombay High Court recently.The entire episode started with a suit filed by Mehta against Khandelwal before the vacation Judge A Y Sakhare. While Mehta was represented by D Y Chandrachud and B Saraf, Khandelwal's counsel was V M Dhir. Mehta alleged that Khandelwal had violated the agreement by attempting to get the entire payment from Doordarshan. The Government of India had financed the serial and DD was to pay around Rs 5 lakh for the 13-part series.Mehta contended that the co-producer had no business dealing directly with the DD authorities. Khandelwal had been paid Rs 30 lakh as per the agreement, although admittedly the payment instalments were delayed by a month, claimed Mehta's counsel.Justice Sakhare granted an injunction on the payment to Khandelwal up to June 23. But, Khandelwal moved the court again, following which, the judge allowed him to be paid Rs 15 lakh.However, Mehta appealed against this order before a division bench of Chief Justice M B Shah and Justice Ranjana Desai. He alleged Khandelwal had fraudulently claimed to be the proprietor of Siddhivinayak International, which was the proprietory concern of the plaintiff. After several hearings, the appeal was allowed by the bench.But, the matter was referred back to a single judge. Justice S S Nijjar heard the feud and persuaded the parties to negotiate a fresh settlement. The settlement was finalised after several meetings and two hearings.As per the new agreement, Khandelwal had accepted Nitin Mehta's proprietory rights. It is agreed that Mehta will receive Rs 34 lakh directly from DD, while the balance will be given to Khandelwal.The other rights like future sale transactions with the electronic media or satellite television will be shared equally by the both the parties. The cost of the remaining three episodes of the serial will be borne by Khandelwal. And most importantly, the warring factions will withdraw the criminal complaints of cheating and monetary misappropriation against each other. Preparation enough to bring alive the Bharat Ratna Morarji Desai.
