(Image source from: The Second Angle)

An Indian-American company has reportedly sued Indian actor Salman Khan and other artists including Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha, Ranveer Singh, and Prabhu Deva alleging that they refused to perform at a concert in the United States contempt having taken money from the company.

The Indian-American company, Vibrant Media Group against the Indian Bollywood artists and their agents in its lawsuit alleged "breach of contract"

According to reports, the company had paid these artists to perform live at a concert 'Celebrating 100 years of Indian Cinema', which was slated to take place in September 2013.

The show had been called off due to Salman Khan's denied approval to leave India since judicial troubles he was facing over the blackbuck poaching case. It has been stated that the company had even agreed to postpone or reschedule the event but in vain.

According to the lawsuit, the company recently learned that artists, instead of keeping their commitment or even offer to return the deposits they have received for the performance. The company as well stated that the stars agreed to perform with another promoter.

"All calls to Mr. Khan, his agents, and other artists, for the return of the funds have gone unanswered," the group said as it sought damages of at least USD 1 million.

According to the complaint, the company had paid more than USD 200,000 to Salman Khan in advance of the concert to be held at the Sears Centre in Chicago on September 1, 2013, whereas actresses Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha were paid USD 40,000 and USD 36,000 respectively. However, none of these funds have been returned, it alleged.

On June 10, the lawsuit has been assigned to District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, in a Northern District Court of Illinois that was filed by Chicago-based Vibrant Media Group.

Indian actor Akshay Kumar besides singers Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, and Usha Mangeshkar are the other artists sued by the company.

By Somwya Sangam