Shahrukh Khan Show organiser put into liquidation

The Organiser of an entertainment programme in which a number of Hindi film stars including Shahrukh Khan appeared has been put into liquidation by one of the companies that funded the event.

Called ‘Temptation Reloaded 2013,’ the event was held at Vector Arena in Auckland City on October 4, 2013.

North Shore based Eftpos Systems Limited made the move to liquidate AReddy Private Limited through its lawyers Lowndes Associates on May 16, 2014.

Eftpos Systems Limited Director Atul Lal told Indian Newslink that there were a number of legal steps that he was pursuing and hence could not comment on the liquidated company.

But he promised to update our readers when he was ready to do so.

Agastya Pesara, owner of the liquidated company has reportedly left New Zealand, leaving behind a string of creditors.

Court Order

A notification published in the New Zealand Herald on May 19, 2014 announced the appointment of Digby John Noyce, Chartered Accountant (Auckland) as liquidator of AReddy Private Limited following an order issued by the Auckland High Court.

The announcement also gave Notice to creditors to Prove Debts or Claims Notice to the liquidator on or before June 16, 2014.

Creditor’s Claims

The Notice said that Creditors of AReddy Private Limited “are to make their claims, and establish any priority their claims may have under Section 312, or to be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before the claims are made or, as the case may be, from objecting to the distribution. Creditors and members may direct enquiries to the liquidator during normal business hours (to Digby John Noyce) at RES Corporate Services Limited P O Box 301890 Albany 0752 Auckland; Phone: (09) 2805900; Fax: (09) 4430537.”

The Mega Show

Agastya, believed to be a New Zealand citizen, was either the main organiser or event manager of the much-publicised ‘Temptations Reloaded 2013,’ a mega show involving Bollywood heavyweights Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Madhuri Dixit, Jacqueline Fernandez, Indian rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh and several other performers.

It was the first Indian programme of such a magnitude to be held at that venue. In his Facebook (which is since closed down) postings and other communications, Agastya had advertised that the show was a sell-out and later said that it was a highly successful event.

A number of people who had attended the event said that New Zealand had not witnessed an entertainment programme that attracted more than 7500 people, that ‘everyone had a great time,’ the Auckland economy was a beneficiary of and that those involved with its organisation would have made a handsome profit.

The Victims

However, not everyone was happy with the event or with Agastya. A number of persons told us that they had lent him money and that he failed in his promise of repaying the loans that he took under the pretext of the show.

Nimesh Amin, Managing Director of Greenwood Corner Travel (1987) Limited (which traded as Panworld Travel) said that he had to place his company under liquidation on February 3, 2014 since Agastya had not settled the invoices for the cost of air tickets and other services rendered for ‘Temptation Reloaded 2013’ held in Auckland.

Speaking on Radio Tarana, Mr Amin had claimed that Agastya had owed about $400,000, saying that his travel agency had issued more than 100 tickets for the travel of Shahrukh Khan and others including technicians and make-up artistes from India, covering Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Amin had told us earlier that he had also advanced Agasthya cash on the eve of the show since he was in urgent need.

“He gave me all kinds of excuses but never paid his dues. A small travel agency cannot run with such large outstanding,” he had said.

Two loans

South Auckland resident Ghouse Majeed said that he was a victim of not only fraud but also friendship.

“A friend introduced me to Agastya in July last year, saying that he needed temporary monetary assistance to organise the Shahrukh Khan show. Agastya pleaded with me saying that he needed $80,000 to meet marketing and other expenses of the event and that if he did not raise the money immediately, the programme would be cancelled, leading to loss of his image and investment. I transferred the amount to his bank account on July 24, 2013 after executing an agreement, according to which he had undertaken to repay the money without interest on or before August 10, 2013,” he said.

Mr Majeed gave us a copy of the Agreement, which covered various contingencies and legal provisions and copies of several other documents.

“He failed to keep his promise; instead he asked me for a further loan of $20,000 on September 3, 2013. He appeared to be in genuine difficulties and in order to help a compatriot, I transferred this amount as well. He said that he would pay me $100,000 immediately before or after the programme,” Mr Majeed said.

He said that despite reminders and requests, Agastya did not fulfil his promise and hence on January 3, 2014, he issued a ‘Statutory Demand’ recalling the loan of $100,000.

Bouncing cheques

“Thereafter, Agastya issued me cheques but all of them bounced. I filed a Notice of Claim through my lawyer in March 2014. The Notice could not be served since he had left his residence without a forwarding address. Apart from financial loss, I have been going through anguish. I cannot get over the fact that I have been cheated,” he said.

Mr Majeed said that he would have been considerate had Agastya met him and explained his position but chose to go away from New Zealand leaving him under financial stress.

“I am still hoping that Agastya would pay back the money that I had lent or be brought to justice. No one should be victimised like I have been,” he said.

Not reachable

Since receiving complaints about five weeks ago, Indian Newslink tried to contact Agastya on his listed land and mobile lines but without success.

Agastya is stated to be the founder of ‘Limelight Entertainment’ an event management company based in Auckland.

The above article is based on information and documents supplied to us.

Ghouse Majeed, a victim