Poonam Dhillon breaks silence over Rs 90 lakh FD fraud allegations by Nagma, Upasana Singh amid CINTAA row: 'It’s not like anyone else has taken a single rupee...'

Actor and Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) president Poonam Dhillon has responded to allegations concerning the association’s fixed deposits (FDs) worth around Rs 90 lakh. The controversy emerged after former CINTAA office-bearer Upasana Singh accused Dhillon and actor Padmini Kolhapure of allegedly accessing funds that were supposed to remain frozen amid a dispute over the association’s management. Actor Nagma has also raised concerns over the matter.

Denying any personal misuse of the association’s money, Poonam said all expenses are recorded and the financial accounts are shared regularly with members of the executive committee.

Poonam Dhillon says no one took money from CINTAA

Responding to the allegations, Poonam maintained that neither she, Padmini Kolhapure nor any other committee member had taken money from CINTAA for personal use. She said the association’s expenses were properly documented and that its financial records were regularly presented.




Poonam said, "They thought they would close all our funds and make it difficult for us since our committee was working on something. We havent neen working for ourselves. Its not like Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapuri or anyone else has taken a single rupee from the CINTAA account. All the money that has been spent is accountable. Every penny is accountable. And we give those accounts every month."

Poonam further added, “Even now, September accounts have been presented every month. The expenses are always mentioned. No one has hidden anything. The accounts are always given to every member of the EC. It is kept on our website. And anyone can see it,” she said.

She suggested that the restrictions had made it harder for the committee to carry out its responsibilities, maintaining that its work was intended to serve the association rather than the personal interests of its members.

What did Upasana Singh and Nagma allege?

The controversy began after Upasana Singh accused Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure of allegedly breaking a fixed deposit and transferring money from an account that was supposed to remain frozen.

In her conversation with IANS, Upasana claimed that CINTAA’s bank accounts across five banks had been frozen after the previous committee was dissolved. According to her, the funds were meant to remain inaccessible until a court order recognised the new committee.

She further alleged that an account was opened and money from the association’s fixed deposits, amounting to around Rs 90 lakh, was transferred into it. The allegations have raised questions about the handling of CINTAA’s finances during the dispute over its management.

Nagma has also expressed concerns about the matter. However, the allegations against the actors have not, on the basis of the information available, been established as proven wrongdoing.

Poonam has disputed the claims and defended the association’s financial procedures, insisting that its spending is documented and accessible to committee members.

Poonam addresses CINTAA's AGM and constitutional changes

Poonam also responded to questions about the association’s decision-making process and changes to its constitution. She explained that such decisions are taken at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), where resolutions are passed before any constitutional amendment is submitted to the relevant registrar.

According to Poonam, “How can we not do what we want? Our AGM takes every decision. Resolution is passed. After the resolution is passed, a change is brought in our constitution. That constitution goes to the registrar. We are answerable to the registrar of our labour. He stamps it. Only then can there be a change. This decision was taken in the AGM of 2025. Upasana Singh was the secretary. She was the one who stood up and announced it."

Poonam further claimed that Singh had announced the decision during that meeting. Her remarks were aimed at explaining the procedure through which the association makes formal decisions and changes its governing rules.

The dispute over CINTAA’s management and finances continues to draw attention, with questions surrounding the frozen accounts and the alleged transfer of the fixed-deposit funds.