Actor-producer-businessman Ananta Jalil has refuted the complaints of Iranian filmmaker Morteza Atashzamzam about the film "Din: The Day" regarding its actual budget.

He made the response in a video message posted on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, reports UNB.

Claiming to have paid all the expenses according to the contract, Ananta said, “It is not a matter of Morteza whether it cost Tk one crore or four crore for shooting here.”

He said the shooting of the film started in 2019 and completed by 2020.

“You can watch my interviews in television, newspapers and social media before and after the release of the film. Did I say that I am the only investor of this movie? I have always said that I am the only investor for shooting in Bangladesh.”

Ananta said, "I am not supposed to pay any shooting expenses abroad except shooting expenses in Bangladesh, our traveling cost and the air ticket.”

“So how can he say in his post that I did not pay him as per the contract?”

“Then Morteza did not spend any money on shooting in so many countries as he said that is what I am supposed to pay,” he added.

Anata also said the Dolby certificate is not required for film release in Iran as their post-production is already quite advanced.

“Till the release of the movie, Morteza and I never had a bad relationship. I hope not in the future. I believe that one day Murtaza will unmask those on whose interests he has done it.”

Morteza recently accused Ananta Jalil of violating the conditions of the film's agreement through a post on his Instagram profile; and as promised during his initial criticism of Ananta Jalil, the filmmaker has now come forward with a post on his Instagram account to "reveal" the budget of "Din - The Day," which is USD $500,000.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan