New York, NY USA August 13, 2008 / written on August 15, 2008
There has been a great deal of activity ever since I addressed Mr Parag Gandhi’s complaint. Many on the blog have given their inputs - the pros and cons of it.
My own investigation into the matter and through my efforts with our event managers Wizcraft has revealed a lot of points which is unknown to many. Some of the exchanges that transpired and some of the comments made by the principal characters is also attached for your benefit.
There have been telephone conversations between the promoters and the person concerned which have been heard by Wizcraft on speaker phone. The results are that now Mr Gandhi says on phone that he was not asked to pay. There are accusations by the promoter to Mr Gandhi on certain non payment of past accounts by him to the tune of $50,000/-. I have been given a document signed by the three concerned promoters stating that Mr Gandhi’s accusations are false and that no money was asked of anyone in the ‘meet and greet’. There is now Mrs Gandhi’s desire to come to the London show for the photograph.
All this is so confusing.
Last night we had a press conference in New York on the show and followed by a ‘meet and greet’ as has been the norm at each venue. There were no problems here. The press was held at the Hotel and the ‘meet and greet’ at the HSBC Office Building. We, all the artists and crew went there, everything was perfectly organised. Guests went through a stall where they were registered , we were given a list and names of the guests that were to attend. There were speeches of welcome from senior Bank officials. We were placed in a designated area. All the guests came through in an orderly fashion, spent their moment with each one of us, had their photo taken and then we were led out.
Mr Gandhi’s case smells of everything not being above board and too complicated for us to understand. I put it now to you my readers -
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SITUATION !!
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Gandhi,
I read your blog and it was disheartening to read your story. Mr. Gandhi, you as a previous promoter can certainly appreciate and know at firsthand what it takes to pull a phenomenal successful show. Also as a promoter, you can certainly recognize all of the great people on your team that made the show a great success. Prior, during and after the show I care very much about my dignity and self respect. Let’s face it, if you have “A” reputation in this business, it is a small world and people will know you by your deeds good or bad.
Once again, I repeat what I said earlier in this email. “You have nothing if your dignity and self respect is questioned”. First and foremost, nor have I met or conversed with you. I was able to trace your story so that it can make clear sense to all who might have been disturbed by your words.
1. Mr. Gandhi, you originally purchased two (2) VIP tickets at the San Francisco (SF) concert, paid in the form of a company check, in the amount of two thousand dollars ($2000). However, you are very well aware that your company check bounced. In the end you had to pay your costs in cash so that you were able to attend the show.
2. Mr. Gandhi, you then called Anish Shah one of our team members in Chicago to purchase two (2) VIP tickets. Your tickets were placed on hold because you were out of state. During this time, we were not aware of your account actions that transpired in SF. One week prior to our show in Chicago, Sam Mehta from our accounting dept. called you for a prompt payment. You then called Anish to provide you with an address for your payment. Your payment in the form of cashier check was received at Anish Shah’s residence in the amount of two thousand dollars (2,000). You were advised by Anish that you can pick up your VIP tickets directly at the Sears Center’s box office when you arrive to the show. During these entire processes there was absolutely no conversation(s) or any promises made by myself, my partners, and or any agents directly related to Live Bollywood Shows for you and your family to meet/greet the stars. Any person(s),or company(s)that were promised to meet/greet the “Unforgettable” Stars were our Platinum and Gold sponsors whom we had a written contract with.
Mr. Gandhi, for generations, our Indian/Pakistani community has dealt with tremendous racism and prejudice worldwide. The “Unforgettable” tour in Chicago was not about Hindu or Muslim race. The “Unforgettable” tour is a prime living example of a wonderful opportunity worldwide to bring all of every race, age and creed together in one place to enjoy and to perhaps forget about the prejudice we face within our own community. Racism is man’s gravest threat to man, the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reasons.
Warm Regards,
Majid A. Mahkri
Thanks!
