His statement came a day after it was announced that Shankar and Ranveer Singh were joining hands for the Hindi adaptation of the blockbuster Tamil film.
Producer Aascar Ravichandran calls Hindi remake of Anniyan illegal
Chennai - 15 Apr 2021 18:07 IST
Haricharan Pudipeddi
Producer Aascar Ravichandran has sent a notice to filmmaker Shankar over his decision to remake the Tamil film Anniyan in Hindi with Ranveer Singh without his consent. In a statement, Ravichandran said he was shocked to learn about the development.
Ravichandran had backed the original film, which was released in 2005 and starred Vikram, Sada and Prakash Raj.
The statement, which came a day after the Hindi project was announced, read, “I am utterly shocked to know that you are likely to undertake the direction of a Hindi film by adopting the story of the movie, Anniyan. You are well aware of the fact that I am the producer of the said movie. The entire story rights were purchased by me from the writer Sujatha (alias late Rangarajan) for which full payment was done by me to him and necessary records are also available. I am the whole and sole owner of the rights of the storyline. As such, any such adaptation or remaking or copying the main plot of the said movie, without my permission, is totally illegal (sic).
"Further, I wish to remind you that after the not so successful film namely 'Boys,' directed by you, you were severe stress due to the dented image. Still, I have provided you with the opportunity to direct the film Anniyan, after which you have regained the lost ground, only because of my support. It is a sorry state of affairs that you have conveniently forgotten the same and without even informing me, you have tried to reap the accolades of my successful movie 'Anniyan' by associating yourself and adaptation of Hindi version of the same. I am sure you always maintain certain ethical values, hence I wonder how can you stoop to a low level by resorting to such unlawful acts.
"You are hereby advised to immediately stop proceeding any further on the same, due to the illegal copying of the storyline for which the entire rights are held by me. Please note that a legal notice follows this letter."
On Wednesday, Shankar was elated about teaming up with Singh. He said in a tweet that only he could play the lead role in the movie.
He is a maverick and charismatic showman no one else can play!
— Shankar Shanmugham (@shankarshanmugh) April 14, 2021
Welcome aboard, @RanveerOfficial Can't wait for this magnificent journey to begin mid 2022.
⁰@jayantilalgada @PenMovies pic.twitter.com/LJueK4d8ra
