CHENNAI: Kamal Hassan's new Tamil film 'Uttama Villain', scheduled for release on May 1, has run into a legal tangle with a financier moving the Madras High Court to prohibit its release, claiming Rs 2.22 crore dues by the producers.
When the petition by one S.Thangaraj, partner of Thangam Cinemas, came up before Justice K. Ravichandrabaabu, counsel for the producers Thirupathi Brothers Film Media Private Ltd M N Joseph gave an undertaking that the entire amount would be settled before the film's release on May 1.
Recording this, the judge posted the matter to April 28 for reporting the settlement.
The petitioner submitted that he had given a loan of Rs two crore to N Lingusamy and N Subash Chandra Bose for production of the film under the banner Tirupathi Brothers Film Media Private Ltd.
In turn, Thangam Cinemas was appointed as distributor to exhibit the film in Chengalpattu area after the production company agreed to enter into an agreement by creating a charge on the copyright and distribution rights in favour of the financier's firm for a period five years for the area.
This was acknowledged by the production house in a June 12, 2014 letter, he submitted.
However, after the completion of the film, he came to know that Thirupathi Brothers had made arrangement to release the film by entering into an agreement with Eros International Media Limited with a malafide intention of cheating him, Thangaraj said.
He contended that after according distribution rights to him, Thirupathi Brothers had no right or authority to assign ‘his rights’ over the film in favour Eros International.
Besides this, the cheques handed over by Thirupathi Brothers were dishonoured due to insufficient funds and the production house has to repay an amount of Rs 2.22 crore including interest.
The petitioner said he would suffer irreparable loss if the movie hits the screen on May 1. Hence, he prayed the court to prohibit film release in any form and render justice.