Just a couple of hours ago, V Ravichandran of Aascar Films had called director Shankar out for not consulting him before announcing the remake of 2005's hit psychological action thriller films, Anniyan (Aparichit) starring Vikram in the lead. Anniyan was a huge blockbuster back when it had released. And director Shankar recently announced that he would be remaking the film in Hindi with Ranveer Singh in the lead. A day after the announcement, Anniyan's producer V Ravichandran slapped Shankar with a legal notice and called him out saying that he had no right on the film. And now, the director had hit back with an equally strong reply. In a statement that he addressed to Ravichandran, Shankar said that he has complete right to make the film in Hindi and that he does not need his permission for the same. Also Read - Anniyan: Shankar gets legal notice from producer after announcing remake with Ranveer Singh; here's the SHOCKING reason
His statement began, "I am shocked to receive your mail dated 14.04.2021 stating that you own the storyline of the movie Anniyan." He went on to talk about the details of the film and how the credits were released back then. "In this context, I submit that the movie was released in the year 2005 and everyone associated with the movie were aware that the script and storyline belongs exclusively to me and in fact the movie was released with the tag: Story, Screenplay and Direction by Shankar. I have not assigned in writing any script or screenplay to any person, and continue to retain the right to exploit the script in any manner I deem fit. As the admitted author of the literary work, my rights cannot be interfered with under any circumstances," he said. Also Read - It’s Official! Ranveer Singh and director Shankar come together for the Hindi remake of South blockbuster Anniyan
He also spoke about Late Sri Sujatha about whom Ravichandran had mentioned in his notice. The director said that the late writer was assigned to the film by him. He said, "I am rather surprised to see the reference to late Sri Sujatha, as he was engaged by me only to write dialogues for the film and was accordingly credited. He was not involved in the script, screenplay or characterization in any manner, and there is no scope beyond his engagement as a dialogue writer." Also Read - Sethu, Anniyan, I- 5 unbelievable transformations of Vikram that will leave you awestruck!
He went on to add, "Given that the script vests with me, I am absolutely entitled to exploit the same in any manner I deem fit. In fact, you/your entity does not have the right to remake or make any derivative rights for “Anniyan”, as the said rights have not been granted to you in writing. In the absence of any assignment in writing from me, there can be no basis whatsoever to even assert that the “storyline” vests with you (sic),"
Furthermore, he clapped back in an equally harsh manner as Ravichandran's saying that he was just trying to milk it out from his future ventures. He said, "You as the producer have gained substantially from the success of the film “Anniyan”, and are needlessly trying to unjustly enrich yourself even in my future endeavours which have no correlation to you. Needless to state, I can only hope good sense will prevail upon you after this clarification and you will stop agitating such baseless claims. This reply is issued without prejudice, and to clarify the actual situation of me as a director and writer being subject to such avaricious and illegal claims to needlessly attempt to jeopardise my future projects (sic)."
We wonder what would happen next. Not even begun the project and met with an obstacle.
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