A bitter fallout has ended veteran fashion choreographer and grooming guru Prasad Bidapa’s association with his operating partners at Prasad Bidapa Models Pvt Ltd (PBM). The dispute, involving allegations of financial non-disclosure, unpaid dues and the takeover of the agency’s official Instagram handle, has now spilled into the public domain, with both sides asserting their positions.
In a public legal notification issued on November 11, Prasad announced that he had severed all professional and personal ties with Arry Dabas, director Shamsher Singh Rana and associates Sriram and Vinita K. What happened: The dispute follows three legal notices sent by Prasad between October 26 and November 10, seeking complete books of accounts, tax records and reconciliation of business transactions exceeding Rs 1 crore. This includes Rs 53.38 lakh allegedly transferred directly to Dabas and his family accounts. Someone can’t just take over a 10-to-15-year-old page built on 45 years of reputation and treat it like their own: Prasad Bidapa Prasad maintains that the agency’s name and reputation cannot be appropriated by its operating partners. Someone can’t just take over a 10-to-15-year-old page built on 45 years of reputation and treat it like their own. Prasad has given the partners until November 17 to submit complete financial records.
Attempts to access bank statements reportedly revealed payments being made to Dabas’ family and other accounts. Bidapa and his team allegedly lost access to the account as well as the agency’s official WhatsApp groups.
The trouble surfaced after models and vendors approached him over pending payments, according to Prasad. “A few models complained to us that they had not been paid and were being told that every show was a free show or a charity show,” he said. “We had given them access because they were managing the agency,” he said, referring to the Instagram account. If you want to start your own agency, you’re welcome to do so — you don’t take over someone else’s hard work,” he said. This, he said, prompted him to independently execute two major shows this season. It further said that Dabas, Rana, Ram and Vinita would continue working together under the new banner.
He also cautioned models, vendors and clients against dealing with the group in his name. He alleged that his accounts department had not received proper financial records for two years. The situation escalated this week when PBM’s decade-old Instagram handle, @prasadbidapamodels, was renamed @thedabasagency. “I’m going to report it to cybercrime. He also alleged that senior models were being sidelined in favour of newcomers from his annual model hunts. He has warned of civil suits seeking rendition of accounts, company law petitions and criminal proceedings for alleged breach of trust. We do not intend to use or continue with the Prasad Bidapa name as our identity: Arry Dabas “We do not intend to use or continue with the Prasad Bidapa name as our identity. Mr. Prasad Bidapa and Mr. Nagendra have had no involvement in the management, operations or running of our agency, (SIC)” the post stated. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
When contacted for a response, Arry Dabas cited a medical emergency and was unable to respond to the queries or provide a formal statement.
However, in an earlier Instagram post announcing the rebranding as The Dabas Agency, Arry asserted that the new venture would operate independently of Prasad Bidapa.
Prasad’s November 17 deadline is the next key date in the dispute. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news. What’s next With the two sides now publicly staking their claims, the immediate focus is on the financial records and the disputed digital assets. If the requested documents are not furnished, he has indicated that he will pursue legal remedies, including civil and criminal proceedings. The Instagram account’s ownership and control, along with the reconciliation of the disputed transactions, are also likely to remain central to the unfolding legal battle. Download the TOI App.