"Truth Triumphs": Upasana Singh, Nagma Morarji Blast CINTAA Governance
CINTAA president Upasana Singh and treasurer Nagma Morarji allege fund misuse and governance failures in a heated leadership battle.
In a high-stakes confrontation over the governance of the Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA), president Upasana Singh and treasurer Nagma Morarji have declared victory in an ongoing internal leadership struggle. Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday, the duo leveled serious allegations against the previous administration, citing the misuse of funds, unauthorized decisions, and a blatant disregard for court mandates.
A Battle for Truth, Not Power
Upasana Singh emphasized that her struggle was never about occupying a seat of power, but about establishing transparency and ensuring the welfare of the artists the association is meant to protect. Invoking the motto 'Satyameva Jayate' (Truth alone triumphs), Singh asserted that the legal tide has turned in her favor.
"The struggle... perhaps for them, it is all about holding onto the chair, but for us, it is for the truth. If we are truthful, we ought to win, and we have won," Singh stated.
She further noted that rulings from both the Dindoshi Court and the High Court have supported her position, expressing her absolute confidence in the Indian judicial system.
Allegations of Financial Negligence
One of the most stinging accusations made by Singh involves the mishandling of CINTAA's finances. She pointed out that the association's own constitution mandates that 20 per cent of its funds be dedicated to artist welfare—a rule she claims was ignored.
Singh detailed the various streams of income CINTAA generates, including:
- New membership fees.
- Annual membership dues (approximately 1,200 rupees from 9,000 to 10,000 members).
- Rental income from leased office properties.
- Interest earned on fixed deposits.
According to Singh, instead of helping artists who are struggling to pay for their children's school fees, medical care for bedridden parents, or even basic groceries, the funds were allegedly wasted on unnecessary expenses and press conferences.
The "Atmosphere of Fear"
Beyond the finances, Singh described a toxic culture within the association where dissent was met with intimidation. She claimed that members lived in fear of receiving show-cause notices, facing suspension, or having their membership cards cancelled if they dared to question the leadership.
Singh cited the examples of senior actors Preeti Sapru and Hemant Pandey, as well as her own experience, as evidence of this crackdown on disagreement. She specifically highlighted a moment of administrative chaos, alleging that after over 50 per cent of members resigned—effectively dissolving the committee—the leadership arbitrarily announced Padmini Kolhapure as the General Secretary, replacing her without legal standing.
Institutional Assets vs. Personal Property
Adding her voice to the dispute, Treasurer Nagma Morarji stressed that CINTAA is an institution that belongs to its members, not to any specific individual. With a membership history spanning 36 years, Morarji reminded the fraternity that the association represents over 10,000 members.
"The funds, assets, and records that have accumulated here since 1958 belong solely and exclusively to the association and its artists. They are not anyone's personal property," Morarji asserted, suggesting that a false narrative had been deliberately crafted to mislead the community.