Court restrains release of ‘Goa’

Two suits charge Soundarya Rajnikant, daughter of actor Rajnikant, with default in repaying loan to a construction company.

Soundarya Rajnikanth File Photo: S.S. Kumar

The Madras High Court on Tuesday granted injunction restraining Ocher Studios Pvt. Limited 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 Private Limited, Nandanam, represented by its Managing Director, Varun Manian, said the Managing Director of the production company, Ms. Soundarya Rajnikant, daughter of actor Rajnikant, approached it seeking funds for producing the film

Goa and 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 sum of Rs.1.10 crore on different dates in 2007 and 2008. The same had been acknowledged by the defendant by executing promissory notes. But Ocher Studios did not pay the returns as assured. After much persistence, Rs.20 lakh was paid on June 10 this year. The plaintiff sent a statement of accounts pertaining to the liabilities of the studios and it had accepted all the liabilities vide a letter dated August 26. The producer had not made any payment thereafter.

The plaintiff said as on date the returns calculated along with the principal came to Rs.1,36,37,589.

It 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 construction company prayed the court to direct the producer to pay Rs.1,36,37,589, failing which to pass a decree for that sum with interest at 24 per cent per annum.

In his plaint in another civil suit, Mr.Varun Manian said Ms.Soundarya Rajnikant approached him seeking funds for producing the film and promised to 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 as she was stated to be busy in Goa and travelling for shooting the movie. Sometimes, it was also made known to him that she was abroad shooting. Therefore, he was made to wait for documentation in perpetuity forever. Till today, the documents had 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 in shock and surprise that even the shooting for the whole movie was over and currently post-production was on. Without securing the money given by him, the producer could not be permitted to release the film, he said.