Madras high court stays release of Tamil film ‘Kazhugu-2’

Chennai: The Madras high court has restrained Madukkur Movie Makers, producer of Tamil film Kazhughu-2, starring Krishna, Kaali Venkat and Bindu Madhavi, from releasing, exhibiting or commercially exploiting the film in any form or in any medium for a period of one week. Justice Subramonium Prasad granted the interim injunction on an application arising out of a suit filed by Jharsanya Logistic Private Limited represented by its Director Jharson Ruben.

The judge also ordered notice to Madukkar Movie Makers and M/s Gemini FX and posted to May 16, further hearing of the case.

The judge said it was the case of the Jharsanya company that Madukkar Movie Makers approached the company for a loan of Rs 85 lakh towards production of Tamil film “Kazhugu-2”. The company stated that the amount was paid in 3 installments. Madukkar Movie Makers had agreed to repay the sum within interest.

Out of the said amount, the Madukkar Movie Makers has only repaid `37.50 lakh leaving a balance of `47.50 lakh with interest. Since Madukkar expressed its difficulty to repay the balance, they entered into a memorandum of compromise and pledged the Hindi and all North Indian Languages Dubbing Rights and Overseas Rights of the film in favour of the Jharsanya Company till settlement of the dues. The company stated that till date the money has not been returned back. It has come know that the said film was scheduled to be released on or after May 8, 2019 throughout Tamil Nadu. The company stated that by virtue of the memorandum of compromise, Madukkar Movie Makers cannot release the film till the liability towards the company was satisfied, the judge added.

The judge said according to the company, without extinguishing liability, Madukkar Movie Makers cannot release the film. In these circumstances, the company has filed the instant suit for recovery of money and also for an injunction restraining Madukkar Movie Makers from releasing the film in any form of medium. CSK Suresh, counsel for the plaintiff submitted that Madukkar Movie Makers had guaranteed the payment of money in as much as it had agreed to issue a letter to Gemini Colour Lab and that the film would be released only upon a no due certificate issued by the company (plaintiff) to the Madukkar Movie Makers. Suresh further stated that the letter to the Gemini Lab does not mean that Madukkar Movie Makers could release the film in Tamil without satisfying their liability towards the company.

“On a perusal of the documents, this court feels that the plaintiff has made out a prima facie case in his favour, more so in view of the memorandum of compromise entered into between the parties”, the judge added and granted the injunction.