‘Jilla’ keeps date with release

Meanwhile, the producer who filed an application against the release was attacked by a gang on Wednesday

Decks have been cleared for the release of much awaited Mohanlal and Vijay starrer Tamil movie ‘Jilla.’

A City Civil Court on Thursday dismissed an application filed by a film producer seeking to restrain the maker of the film from releasing or exploiting the movie under the title ‘Jilla.’ R. Naraja, XVI Assistant City Civil Judge said, “There is no prima facie case made out for granting the relief of temporary injunction.”

Earlier, the producer who filed the application had been attacked by a gang.

R. Mahendran of Sowmita Sri Arts filed the suit along with an interim application seeking to restrain Super Good Films from releasing, distributing or exhibiting the Tamil film titled ‘Jilla’ without altering the title.

Mr. Mahendran also said that he was the owner of all the rights and the title ‘Jilla’ which was the dubbed version of a popular Telugu movie named ‘Bhageeratha.’ Apart from being a member of the Film and Television Producers’ Guild of South India, he said that he had also registered the title ‘Jilla’ in 2008. He had released the film in some areas and was waiting to release in other areas.

The petitioner added that his business would be affected if the Vijay-starrer is released without changing the title.

P.L. Narayanan, counsel for Super Good Films, said the petitioner had no right to claim the title and the registration as it expired last year. He came to court only just two days before the release even though the title was widely publicised several months ago.

Dismissing the interim application, Mr. Naraja pointed out that the petitioner had not renewed the title and he was not member of the Film and Television Producers’ Guild of South India.

Pointing out that the petitioner had filed the suit belatedly, the Judge said, “No reason was stated by the petitioner why he has not filed the suit earlier.”

Earlier, Mr. Mahendran was attacked by four men on two motorcycles at Virugambakkam on Wednesday night. He was intercepted around 11.30 a.m. when he was heading home in his car after meeting his advocate in Kumaran Nagar, Virugambakkam. The men abused Mahendran regarding his attempt to stall the release of the movie and attacked him. He suffered minor injuries .