‘Most expensive’ film’s crew is unpaid?
Assistant director says salaries are pending, producer denies allegations, saying all dues have been settled
Chennai: Made on a budget of what is said to be around Rs 150 crore, Aascar Ravichandran’s much-awaited film I, has allegedly been caught in a financial controversy.
One of the assistant directors, Murali Manohar, who was on director Shankar’s team, took to social media, claiming in a post that he has apparently not been paid his remuneration for the last two months.
He wrote, “Pasikuthunnu veliye solla enaku endha vekkamum illa. ennaa kekarathu pichai illa. uzhaichathukaana kooli. ?#?aascar ?#?i” (I am not ashamed to say that I’m hungry. I’m not begging for undeserved money. I’m asking for the money that I deserve.)
When DC contacted Murali Manohar, he said, “I have not been paid for the last two months for working in the film. I am speaking on behalf of other ADs too.”
The assistant director adds, “I have been unwell and running a fever, and I don’t have the money to go to the hospital. It’s not easy for me, as I have to support my wife and child.”
When contacted, Aascar Ravichandran, the producer of the film, completely denied all the allegations. He said, “I have settled all the money, and everything has been done correctly.”
The production manager of the film, Vimal expressed surprise at how the issue seems to have been blown out of proportion.
“Only the dues for the last month are yet to be paid. We have paid salaries to all.”