Sonal Mehta to get 55 lakhs as settlement for Rann

In spite of Ram Gopal Varma's loud protestations about the writer's claim being nothing more than an attempt to make mileage just days before his film's release, to avoid an impending stay order on the release of his Bollywood movie Rann this Friday, Ram Gopal Varma has apparently been persuaded to make an out-of-court settlement with the writer Sonal Mehta.

Though nobody is mentioning the sum, Mehta has asked for and apparently is likely to get a sum close to Rs. 55 lakhs as out-of-court settlement.

While the film's producers have in principle agreed to pay up the compensation to avoid the film's impending released being delayed, director Ram Gopal Varma in a sudden outburst of indignation, is reluctant to cough up the substantial amount of money. According to him, this settlement would amount to succumbing to last-minute pressure tactics.

The next court hearing is on Wednesday morning. But for all practical purposes Sonal who apparently produced SMS messages and e-mail in court on Monday to prove her charges that Rann was indeed based on her idea/script, has triumphed and will on Wednesday walk away with a hefty amount as compensation to facilitate the release of Rann.

Co-producer Madhu Mantena says, "We're in the process of making an out-of-court settlement. But Ramu is dead against it. However, the prints of Rann have to be sent out and we can't afford any more delay."

As for Ram Gopal Varma all he will say tersely is, 'The case is still sub-judice and not going to be settled till Wednesday. On principle, I'm against this kind of compromise. But we have no time and cannot delay our release."