`Gandhi to Hitler` using me as a brand: Anupam Kher

New Delhi: As it readies to hit the theatres on July 29, `Gandhi to Hitler` has landed in a controversy with co-producer Nalin Singh accusing Anupam Kher of not returning the signing amount even after he opted out of it.

Kher, who withdrew his name from the movie in the very initial stages after protests from his fans, has shot back saying his name is still being used to market the movie and he`s going to keep the money as compensation. According to Singh, he had given Kher a signing amount of Rs 4 lakh a year ago which he has not returned even after he backing out from the project. The actor was to play Adolf Hitler in the controversial project, a role which finally went to Raghubir Yadav. "It`s very unethical that Anupamji is not returning the signing amount of Rs 4 lakh. He`s an actor and human being of great stature but such unprofessional behaviour is not expected of him. "He took the amount an year back and opted out of the film without even imforming us. Now, when we are trying to get the money back, his manager is saying that they will very soon return the money but I am yet to receive it," said Singh, who plays Goebbles in the movie. When contacted, Kher said that his name is being dragged even after he quit the project. The actor said he has already informed the producer about the same five months back but they are talking about it now to promote the film. "They are just using it as a publicity gimmick when I have informed them five months back that I am going to keep the money as a compensatory amount. "They haven`t stopped using my name to promote their film. So, if they are using me as the `brand` even though I am not in the film, it is important for me to safeguard my interest. It`s merely a publicity gimmick just 10 days before the movie release," Kher added. PTI