Producers sue on Saimira for Rs.1cr compensation

The producers of film Valluvan Vasuki sued on popular film corporate company Pyramid Saimira in Madras High Court Friday. They demanded Rs.1 crore as compensation for their loss in the film, screened by Saimira in their own theaters. Producers Shivakumar and Manickavasagam filed a petition in the court, in which they alleged Saimira for their non transparency in maintaining the theater collection account.

Shivakumar and Manickavasagam say in their petition, "We produce the film in the budget of Rs.2.5 crores. At the time of its release, Pyramid Saimira approached us and promised that they would release the film in the theaters owned by them. They claimed that they have owned 70 percent of the halls all over the state."

"We accepted the deal on the condition of Rs.50 lakhs should be given by them to us as the cost of distribution rights. In turn, we accepted to pay Rs.20 lakhs as publicity cost and 10 percent commission in the total theater collection."

"But they never show the detailed collection report to us. So naturally, it is impossible for us to calculate the exact collection of the movie. Now Saimira demands Rs. 27 lakhs additionally as publicity cost. This is ridiculous and big injustice to small producers like us. Actually, Pyramid Saimira has to pay Rs.50 lakhs as distribution rights cost and total theater collection Rs.40 lakhs to us. Saimira should give us Rs.10 lakhs as a token of compensation for our mental agony caused by them."

After hearing their plea, the judges ordered to send notices to the Managing director and Manager of Saimira to file their reply in a week.