The Madras High Court on November 27, 2019, gave permission to the niece of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, namely Deepa to file a civil suit against the makers of the film called Thalaivi. The teaser of the movie was released on November 23, 2019, and has more than 6 million hits already.
The High Court has sent notices to A.L. Vijay (Director), Gautham Menon and Vishnuvardhan (Producers) of the film in pursuance of the petition filed by Deepa. The niece contended that the makers had not sought permission or consent from the family of the late minister before bringing her life story, both private and political, out in the public domain. She further claimed that they had no legal right.
The court agreed that the makers could not take unfair advantage of the late minister’s family reputation and image for their own personal gains. Deepa claimed in the petition that around five biopics are already in the making on the life of the late minister and none of the makers of any of the films has approached the family of the deceased for permissions.
While, the makers of the Kangana Ranaut starrer film claim that they already have a NoC or No-Objection certificate signed by Deepa’s elder brother, Deepak Jayakumar.
The film traces the journey of the minister from an actress to a politician who was revered by the masses. The teaser begins with Kangana dancing on the sets of a movie called “Vennira Aadai” while a director yells “cut” from behind the shadows and ends with the actress waving the victory sign at the public while we see a hoarding in the background that says “24 June, 1991.”
Jayalalithaa had become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1991. The film has Arvind Swamy in a prominent role apart from Kangana and is due for release on June 26, 2020.
