How Vishal helped VS to get 96 to marquee

Vijay Sethupathi’s latest offering 96 saw cancellation of early morning shows in the city. These shows had been scheduled for 6 am and 6.30 am on the release day - October 4.  Financial issues that usually rock the release of new movies had struck and the KDMs were not delivered. The film producer Nandagopal of ‘Madras Enterprises’ was at the centre of negotiations in the face of claims to do with his earlier movies. It was after a marathon ‘panchayat’ at the Tamil Film Producers Council that went on through the previous night that the issue was resolved and the movie opened worldwide soon after.

A few producers blamed Vishal for the deadlock as Nandhagopal owed money to the TFPC president and the former had reportedly held up the release of 96.  To clear the air, Vishal put out a statement stating he had made the release possible by relieving Vijay Sethupathi from some of the financial pressures surrounding the movie makers by not insisting on a payment of Rs 1.5 crore due to him. 

Actor Vishal had arranged for financial aid for Nandagopal to produce Kaththi Sandai. With Nandagopal not repaying the debt with interest, the issue had been brought to the Tamil Film Producers Council. A complaint regarding non-payment can hold up new releases and this was the crux of the 96 release issue. Actor Vijay Sethupathi stepped in with a rescue bid for the release by assuring that he would bear the responsibility of paying Rs 1.5 crore to make the release possible. 

Being an actor-producer himself, Vishal knows both sides of the film business, which is why he decided to come to the rescue of Vijay Sethupathi by easing the financial burden on him regarding the release of 96. Vishal said, “Such a pain is unbearable and shouldn’t happen to any actor. I am also personally going through financial problems. For me, friendship means a lot more than money. I undertake to pay the interest for that huge amount owed by Nandagopal and will collect the principal amount from him. I wish Sethupathi grand success with 96.”

When Vijay Sethupathi was asked about Vishal having originally demanded his dues, the actor said, “I don’t want blame Vishal. I don’t know what financial pressures he was going through then. I have no hard feelings towards Vishal.”

He went on to add, “Problems have been cropping up during a film’s release for many years now. Didn’t Sivakarthikeyan go through a similar situation in his recent release Seemaraja? There’s a problem in the system itself. People are trying to sort it out, but in vain, as till date there’s no solution to the issue.”He thanked Sevenscreen banner Lalith who released 96and helped financially in a big way to get the film to the marquee on October 4.

This is not an pre-release issue concerning only 96. Many films have been in similar situations on earlier occasions. Ace producer SR Prabhu, also treasurer of TFPC, points out the major reasons for the problems films face during their release. 

He posted the following on his Facebook account to explain the nature of the problem in making films:  “Not detaching ourselves from the content in business perspective.

Budgeting a film for a super hit business (which is not certain). Agreeing to pay beyond 20% of a film’s budget as salary to the lead artiste. Bleeding beyond 10% from a film’s budget due to wrong production methods.  Exorbitant interest rates & excess publicity beyond content. Wastage in administration cost & lack of discipline.”

“These are the major reasons for most films facing problems prior to release. I trust producers should concentrate more on the above than fighting each other,” Prabhu concluded.