The father of Michael Jackson’s friend and deceased producer Raju Patel, who produced “Bachelor Party” and “The New Adventures of Pinocchio”, has sued Jackson’s estate.
Sharad Chandra Patel claims he was assigned a contract from his dying son to make a movie about King of Pop’s fans, but his executors are not providing him home video footage or music rights, said The Hollywood Reporter.
Patel alleges that his son, who died of cancer in 2005, had a film company with Jackson called Neverland Entertainment and that a 2002 contract says that all proceeds from their films will be divided equally.In the six years since Jackson died, Patel has been trying to get access to Jackson’s music and personal stuff for film titled “Messages to Michael”, but was shut out by estate executors John Branca and John McClain.
“Michael wanted to create a film tribute to the dedicated fans who stood by him during difficult times when many others turned their backs on Michael,” the lawsuit reads.
“Michael trusted his good friend and filmmaker, Raju, to make the film a reality.” But Branca and McClain “have disregarded the terms of the agreement, as well as Michael’s wishes for his fans, because (they) are simply motivated by the biggest payday,” it added.
