Exclusive: Karthi’s Annagaru Postponed at the Last Minute

After Nandamuri Balakrishna’s Akhanda 2, another big film is facing release hurdles due to the producer’s financial troubles. While Eros stalled Akhanda 2’s release last week as the film’s production house, 14 Reels Plus, didn’t clear old pending dues, Karthi’s upcoming film, Va Vathiyar’s (Annagaru Vostaru in Telugu) release has been stalled due to the producer’s pending dues to a financier. Both Tamil and Telugu versions of this film are originally slated for release tomorrow (December 12).

A case has been filed against the release of Va Vathiyar due to the non-clearance of pending dues. The Madras High Court clarified that the film cannot be released until producer Gnanvel Raja clears the pending dues to financier Arjunlal Sunderdas. According to the reports, Gnanvelraja’s Studio Green borrowed Rs. 10.35 crore from Arjunlal in 2014, and along with the interest, the pending amount has gone up to Rs. 21.78 crore now. Due to the court’s order, the film’s release will be put on hold until dues are cleared.

A petition has been filed in the Madras High Court requesting to stall Va Vathiyar’s release until Gnanvelraja repays the pending amount. While hearing the case earlier, the Madras High Court ordered an interim stay on the release and asked Gnanvelraja to inform the magistrate when he would repay the pending amount. Despite giving seven opportunities, Gnanvelraja couldn’t repay the loan.

The case came up again for hearing today at the Madras High Court. The petitioner alleged that Gnanvel Raja failed to repay the amount despite giving him seven chances. On the other side, Gnanvelraja’s lawyer stated that he is ready to pay Rs. 3.75 crores within 24 hours and submit documents of movable properties for the rest of the amount. After hearing both sides, the court felt that Gnanvel Raja was given enough chances to repay the loan and thus, it ordered that the film shouldn’t release on any platform until the dues are cleared. As a result, postponement is the only option left for the film. An official announcement will follow shortly.