Ameer files case against Sivakumar, sons

By: Settu Shankar
Monday, August 20, 2007

Director Ameer has sued a case against actor Sivakumar, his sons Surya and Karthi, producer of Paruthiveeran, Gnanavel Raja, Tamil Film Producers' Council and Prasad Labs in The Madras High Court to claim his expenses over the production of Paruthieeran money Rs.80 lakhs with interest.

Ameer wrote in his petition filed in the court on Friday: "It was actor Sivakumar only compelled me to make a film with his younger son Karthi as hero. After hearing the story of Paruthieeran from Ameer, Sivakumar, Surya and Karthi introduced him to K.E. Gnanavel Raja and said his Studio Green would produce the film. The shooting started within few days after Sivakumar approved the story.

When half of the portion was completed, Gnanavel concentrated in his other film Sillunu Oru Kaadhal featuring Surya - Jyothika. To release the film first, he diverted all his money already allotted to Paruthiveeran. He ran short of funds for Paruthi Veeran and the film was stopped mid way. Finally, Surya came forward to help the crew and gave Rs.47 lakhs to me and asked me to complete the movie quickly.

After this incident, I took the responsibility of the production of Paruthiveeran under my own banner Team Work Media Works Ltd, and completed the film. The audio launch of Paruthiveeran also held at my own money.

After the completion of Paruthiveeran, Sivakumar, Surya, Karthi and Gnanavel desired to watch the film. It was also arranged by me only. After watching the movie, they wanted to release it under their banner. Suddenly they gave a complaint at the Producers Council and claimed the production rights to them.

After some negotiation with both of us the council had instructed Teamwork and Studio Green should be credited in the title and other financial accounts would be solved after the release of the film. Before that, neither party should sell the remake rights, dubbing rights, TV rights or any such thing without the other party's knowledge…"

Now, Ameer has criticized that Sivakumar family and Gnanavel Raja for violating the conditions of producers' council and trying to sale the dubbing rights of the film secretly. He further criticized that Gnanavel has been deliberately hiding the name of Ameer's film company from the publicity of the film.

Because of this, Ameer demands in his petition that Sivakumar family, Gnanavel and others should pay his expenditure Rs.80 lakhs incurred for Paruthiveeran with interest immediately. He further demanded the court to restrict Sivakumar family not to sell the other language rights of Paruthiveeran without his approval.

Ameer included the names of Producers Council as well as Prasad Labs in his petition. The Court has ordered Sivakumar and others to file their reply within 22nd of this month.