Dhanush directed to appear in court for Kaaka Muttai

Chennai: Critically acclaimed national award winning film, Kaaka Muttai has run into trouble three weeks after its release. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate has directed actor Dhanush, ace director Vetrimaran, producer of the film, M. Manikandan, director, and Ishwarya Rahesh, actor, to appear before the court on August 6 in connection with a petition filed by an advocate association for portraying their profession in poor light in the film.

The film was screened at various festivals, including 39th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Canada, Rome Film Festival 2014, Dubai International Film Festival 2014, Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, 2015. A month after the film had its world premiere, the movie hit the silver screen on June 5, 2015. The box office hit received the national film award for best children’s film, national film for best child artists  Ramesh Thilaganathan and J. Vignesh.

In the petition, S. Manivannan, president, All India Bar   Advocates Welfare Association, submitted that an old woman character was seen making derogatory remarks against an advocate character in the film. The elder woman accused that the advocate was in the habit of fleecing her. Similarly, she made another remark against the advocate.

S. Namo Narayanan, petitioner’s counsel, submitted that the  producer and director had insulted the advocate profession in the film. Such scenes would spread enmity, ill-will and hatred between litigants and advocates. They committed offences punishable under sections 294 (b), 499, 504 and 505 of IPC. Hence, he prayed the court to render justice. The CMM, Egmore, A. Murugan, before whom the matter came up for hearing on  Friday, summoned Dhanush, Vetrimaran, Manikandan and Ishwarya Rajesh to appear before the court.