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Richard Gere sues production company
Los Angeles, April 28 (IANS) Actor Richard Gere has filed a lawsuit against a production company, saying he is being extorted over book adaptation rights.
According to the lawsuit filed on Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Gere says he is being extorted for half a million dollars after creative differences arose with a producing partner, reports hollywoodreporter.com.
Gere says Random Acts Entertainment, owned by Scott and Anna Elias, optioned the rights to “Bones of the Master: A Buddhist Monk’s Search for the Lost Heart of China” and in 2009 he entered into discussions with them about potentially acting in, directing and producing a film adaptation of the book.
The actor says they entered into a joint producer agreement, which included that they would split the purchase price if they decided to buy the rights and Anna Elias would be allowed to write one or more drafts of the screenplay.
Gere claims he paid $35,000 in 2015 but hasn’t been reimbursed for the other half, and therefore, the Eliases lost all rights in the project. Gere has said the parties reached a creative impasse.
“In order for Mr. Gere to commit to the Project as the star and director, Mr. Gere required that the screenplay be completed and approved,” wrote attorney Jeremiah Reynolds.
“This approval right has been consistently applied to virtually all films in which Mr. Gere has starred.”
Elias’ script was “woefully inadequate” and Gere couldn’t commit to starring in the film, according to the complaint.
In response, the actor says he was threatened with a lawsuit that includes insulting and defamatory claims, reports hollywoodreporter.com.
“Despite Mr. Gere’s efforts to make the Project a success, Defendants, who are evidently desperate for money, have recently attempted to extort Mr. Gere into paying them the sum of $500,000 to ‘buyout’ their interest in the Project, despite their breaches and lack of investment,” stated Reynolds.
Gere is suing for breach of contract and is seeking a declaration that defendants have no rights in the book or the project.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.