Netflix India's ambitious, high-profile action fantasy series ‘Rakt Bramhand - The Bloody Kingdom’ has reportedly hit a snag. Peepingmoon.com has exclusively learned that the Raj & DK show, starring Aditya Roy Kapur, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Ali Fazal, has been plagued by financial irregularities.
Now it seems a case of financial fraud has been detected on the set and the series’ executive producer stands accused of embezzling an undisclosed sum amounting to 2-3 crores from the production. “The show has only been shot for 26 days since it began filming in September 2024, yet 50% of the budget has already been spent, raising serious concerns about the financial management of ‘Rakt Bramhand’,” a source close to the project revealed.
The scam is believed to came to light during a routine audit, which, upon further investigation, exposed severe mishandling of funds and numerous accounting discrepancies. In response to these anomalies, Netflix and D2R Films are said to have launched a comprehensive investigation, examining internal and external dealings and transactions with third-party vendors. The specifics of the irregularities and related issues, however, have all been kept confidential, as the investigation is still ongoing.
“This is a clear case of mismanagement. Which producer grants an executive producer the authority to sign checks and withdraw funds without proper authorization? This executive producer is believed to have engaged in similar misconduct on his previous projects as well. Raj & DK and Netflix should have done thorough due diligence before appointing him,” a trade source familiar with the situation told us.
Beyond financial woes, the show is also grappling with creative challenges. Sources hint that director Rahi Anil Barve and writer Sita R. Menon have been rewriting scripts on set, much to Netflix's displeasure. Although Netflix has granted Raj & DK unprecedented creative freedom, the lack of a bound script has become a significant problem, leading to creative disagreements.
Thankfully, these financial and creative complications haven’t hampered the show and it is set to resume production in April. While the investigation into financial irregularities continues, the filmmakers are simultaneously preparing for the next action-packed outdoor schedule.
‘Rakt Bramhand’ was officially announced in July 2024, with ‘Tumbbad’ fame Rahi Anil Barve attached to direct. Defined as a mega action fantasy, this grand-scale series promises a gripping, edgy narrative set against the backdrop of a fantastical kingdom with bloody action and spectacular visuals. It marks Raj & DK’s second collaboration with Netflix following the moderate success of ‘Guns & Gulaabs’