Sonya Hussyn demands Rs5m in damages from Urwa Hocane for failure to pay 'Tich Button' dues in full

Actor has sent a legal notice to producer ahead of the film's much-awaited release

KARACHI:

Ahead of its long-awaited theatrical release, actor Sonya Hussyn has sent her upcoming film Tich Button’s producer Urwa Hocane a legal notice, which cites a “breach in contract.” It claims that Sonya was not paid her contractual dues as committed by the Udaari actor.

In the legal notice dated October 22 shared with The Express Tribune, the Saraab actor’s legal team reminded Urwa that she “entered into contractual” agreement with their client, Sonya, under the terms and conditions of which, she was bound to pay her a certain amount upon the completion of Tich Button’s shooting, which she did not. Shooting for the film began on February 2, 2020 and concluded on June 5 of the same year.

The notice states that Sonya performed her part of the deal as per the terms and condition of their agreement, that too, under “exceptional circumstances,” such as the coronavirus outbreak. However, Urwa “did not make the said payment on one pretext or another, despite repeated requests and reminders, which amounts to sheer breach of contract.”

The notice goes on to note, that after a considerable period of time, “in stark contravention and blatant violation of contract”, the Meri Shehzadi actor “fraudulently” attempted to pay Hussyn Rs500,000, “as full and final consideration for her services with regards to the film.”

The Mohabbat Tujhe Alvida actor returned the cheque “with immediate effect,” unequivocally refusing to be a “prey of your [Urwa’s] fraudulent scheme.” Sonya is demanding the payment agreed upon in the contract which is “still outstanding.”

She has additionally demanded Rs5 million in “general damages” on account of “distress, dismay, mental torture, humiliation and embarrassment,” within 14 days of the receipt of the notice for the “undesirable and unwanted circumstances” created by the producer.

Upon failure to comply with the demands, the notice states Sonya’s legal team has received “express instructions” to “institute appropriate civil and criminal legal proceeding, including without limitation, lodging an FIR, under the relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, for criminal breach of trust, cheating, fraud and misrepresentation.” The team has also been directed to file a civil suit in court, in case of the demands are not met, and “seek recovery of the payment, general damages; and attachment of your [Urwa’s] immoveable and moveable assets.”

Tich Button, starring Feroze Khan, Hussyn, Farhan Saeed, Sohail Ahmed, Marina Khan and Iman Ali, is slated to have its countrywide release on November 11 after years of delay.

It is pertinent to mention here that while there are three other producers of Tich Button namely Salman Iqbal, Jerjees Seja, and Farhan Saeed, the legal notice was sent to Urwa only. Moreover, Sonya did not show up at a recent promotional event held for the film in Karachi, as well as its trailer launch.

The Express Tribune has reached out to Urwa for a comment on the matter and is currently awaiting a response.