REFUGEE

Soundarya Rajinikanth

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday granted an injunction restraining Ocher Studios and Gemini Colour Lab from releasing the Tamil film Goa till December 11.

Justice G. Rajasuria ordered notice to respondents returnable by that date.

In its plaint in a civil suit, filed by counsel Abudukumar Rajaratnam, NAPC Properties, Nandanam, represented by its managing director, Varun Manian, said the managing director of the production company, Soundarya Rajinikanth, daughter of actor Rajinikanth, had approached it seeking funds to produce the film. She had promised returns at the rate of 24 per cent per annum along with the principal investment.

The construction company said it had paid a total of Rs.1.10 crore on different dates in 2007 and 2008, which was acknowledged by the defendant by means of promissory notes. But Ocher Studios did not pay the returns as promised. After repeated requests, Rs. 20 lakh was paid on June 10, 2009. The plaintiff sent a statement of accounts pertaining to the liabilities of the studios and it had accepted the liabilities by means of a letter dated August 26. The producer had not made any payment thereafter.

The plaintiff said that as on date the returns calculated along with the principal came to Rs.1,36,37,589. The construction company would be put to grave prejudice and irreparable loss if the movie was released without the defendant’s liability towards the plaintiff being discharged. The company prayed the court to direct the producer to pay Rs.1,36,37,589, failing which a decree should be passed for that sum with interest at 24 per cent.

In his plaint in another civil suit, Mr.Manian said Ms. Soundarya Rajinikanth had approached him seeking funds to produce the film, promising a return at the rate of 24 per cent per annum along with the principal. He paid Rs.50 lakh in December 2007. After receiving the sum, she was not accessible; she was stated to be busy in Goa and travelling to shoot the movie. Sometimes it was made known to him that she was abroad shooting. He was made to wait for documentation. The documents had still not reached the plaintiff. As on date, the returns calculated along with the principal came to Rs.73,14,521.

Mr. Manian said he was shocked to find that meanwhile the shooting was over and post-production work was on. Without securing the money given by him, the producer could not be permitted to release the film, he said.