The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Decks cleared for release of Tamil film

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 20, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Decks cleared for release of Tamil film

Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI: : The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the decks for the release of `Ullam Kekkume', a Tamil film produced by G.V. Films, vacating an interim stay ordered on April 21.

A vacation Bench of Justice P. Venkatarama Reddi and Justice Arijit Pasayat said G.V. Films should take immediate steps for the film release.

After hearing counsel, K. Ravi and K.K. Mani for G.V. Films and senior counsel, L.N. Rao for Prasad Film Laboratories, the Bench said further orders would be passed on June 6 after the film release.

On a suit from G.V. Films, a single Judge of the Madras High Court, by a February 25 order appointed `Joint Receivers' for the film. They were asked to release 72 prints, which were in the custody of Prasad Laboratories. The court asked the receivers to deposit the collections from the release in a separate account in a nationalised bank. Aggrieved by the order, Prasad Laboratories filed an appeal, which was dismissed by a Division Bench on March 29.

In its special leave petition, Prasad Laboratories contended that Rs. 55-60 lakhs was due from the producer. If the film was released, it would not get back its dues. By an interim order on April 21, the apex court said, " ... taken on board. Issue notice. Until further orders, the operation of the impugned judgment, appointing the receiver, shall remain stayed. The film shall also not be released."

Seeking to vacate the stay, G.V. Films, in its response, said Prasad Laboratories suppressed the fact that a memo for appointment of joint receivers was filed before the single judge. April 29 was fixed for the release and theatres were booked. But because of the stay, the film could not be released. The film already lost its value considerably and if the release was further delayed, its value would become almost nil. It sought vacation of the interim stay for release of the film.

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