The prolonged internal dispute within the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) reached a boiling point on Friday, leading to a highly public and bitter confrontation at the association’s Mumbai office. Veteran actors and CINTAA office-bearers Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure, and Upasana Singh engaged in a heated altercation over the alleged removal of official documents, prompting police intervention.
A viral video of the incident shows law enforcement scolding the seasoned artists for their public spat, urging them to care about their hard-earned reputations. Here is a complete breakdown of the explosive fight, the police complaint, and the deep-rooted leadership crisis shaking the film workers’ body.
The Midnight “Tempo” Altercation: What Exactly Happened?
The confrontation began when Upasana Singh (acting General Secretary) received a tip-off from a passing actor that former CINTAA President Poonam Dhillon and former Senior Vice-President Padmini Kolhapure were allegedly loading official CINTAA documents and belongings into a tempo outside the premises.
According to Upasana, the sudden removal of these documents was highly suspicious, as it occurred just a day before the freshly scheduled CINTAA elections.
“I immediately reached there and called the police,” Upasana told Hindustan Times in an exclusive interview. She claimed that since the Executive Committee had effectively dissolved following mass resignations in August, Dhillon and Kolhapure were no longer authorized to enter the premises or move official paperwork.
In the videos circulating online, Upasana Singh and actress Priti Sapru are seen fiercely arguing with Dhillon and Kolhapure, demanding the police confiscate the papers. The situation became so volatile that the responding police officers had to firmly reprimand the veteran actors for fighting in such a manner.
Covering Tracks? The Forensic Investigation Angle
The fight over the documents is not an isolated incident. Upasana alleges that this desperate move to relocate the files stems from a recent demand by a CINTAA member for a forensic investigation into the association’s paperwork.
“He felt that something was not right with them,” Upasana explained, suggesting that the former office-bearers were attempting to conceal vital information. “Taking the documents is an illegal move to cover their tracks. If everything was fine, why would they try to take out these documents?”
Following the chaotic showdown, Upasana officially filed a police complaint at the Versova police station against Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure.
The Root of the CINTAA Crisis: “Dictatorship” and Mass Resignations
The current crisis has been brewing since August 2026, when 11 out of the 21 Executive Committee members (including eight elected members like Hemant Pandey, Puneet Issar, and Vindu Dara Singh) tendered their resignations.
Led by Upasana Singh, the dissenting members accused Dhillon and Kolhapure of “dictatorship” and unilateral decision-making. The resigning members claimed that the top brass bypassed the committee, took independent decisions, and even used personal email IDs for official government correspondence. Furthermore, Upasana alleged that actors who did not behave as “yes ma’ams” were routinely threatened with show-cause notices or suspension.
Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure have vehemently denied all allegations of financial irregularities and undemocratic functioning, stating that every penny raised by CINTAA is strictly accounted for.
With the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) stepping in and fresh elections mandated for September 12, 2026, this ugly public brawl marks one of the darkest chapters in the history of the esteemed actors’ association.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Upasana Singh and Poonam Dhillon fight at the CINTAA office?
Upasana Singh rushed to the CINTAA office after being informed that Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure were allegedly moving official association documents into a tempo. Upasana intervened, claiming the move was illegal, which led to a massive verbal altercation.
Has a police complaint been filed in the CINTAA dispute?
Yes, Upasana Singh filed an official police complaint at the Versova police station, accusing Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure of attempting to illegally relocate and potentially conceal important CINTAA documents.
Why were CINTAA elections rescheduled for September 12?
The crisis began in August when 11 members of the Executive Committee resigned, citing a loss of confidence in the leadership of President Poonam Dhillon and Senior VP Padmini Kolhapure. The mass resignation effectively dissolved the committee, prompting the FWICE to order fresh elections.
What are the allegations against Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure?
Dissenting members, led by Upasana Singh, accused Dhillon and Kolhapure of running a “dictatorship,” making unilateral decisions without consulting the committee, misusing their positions, and operating without transparency. Both Dhillon and Kolhapure have firmly denied these allegations.
