Arrest warrant against Tamil film 'Bhaskar Oru Rascal' producer for non-payment of dues

CHENNAI: An arrest warrant has been issued against the producer of the Tamil film Bhaskar oru rascal for non-payment of dues to the film's actor Arvind Swami.

This included Rs. 30 lakhs towards the balance of his remuneration, Rs. 27 lakhs TDS to be paid on his fee to the Income Tax Department, and a loan of Rs. 35 lakhs taken from Swami for the release of the film.

The order was passed by a single judge bench of Justice P. Velmurugan, taking note of the inordinate delay by producer K. Murugan Kumar to disclose his assets.

On the producers submission that his client didn't have many assets, the Court said that the producer would then have to declare himself as insolvent to avoid arrest.

Swami had moved Court in 2019 seeking recovery of his dues.

Justice Krishnan Ramasamy had decreed the suit directing payment of Rs. 65 lakhs to the actor along with 18% interest per annum.

It had also directed for payment of the TDS amount to the IT Department.

With the producer failing to comply, Swami moved Court with an execution petition and the application for disclosure of assets.

It is on the aspect of disclosure of assets that the producer stated before Court that while he's filed his statement, he does not have many assets to disclose.

Further hearing on the disclosure of assets application will take place on July 8.

Swami had entered into an agreement with the producer on April 7, 2017 for acting in the movie, with his remuneration fixed at Rs. 3 crore, to be paid in parts.

The producer was obligated to  deduct tax at source (TDS) for the actor's fee and remit it directly to the IT Department.

Thereafter though the movie released on May 17, 2018, the payment of Rs.30 lakh out of his total fee was still due to Swami.

Further, the TDS amount of 27 lakh too had not been remitted with the I-T department.

Swami then sought civil remedies in law for recovery of his dues.