On August 3rd, 2018, the Madras High Court has ordered actor Kamal Haasan and his production house Rajkamal Films International to file a reply by Monday in connection with a civil suit filed by Pyramid Saimira Productions International seeking to stall the release of his film "Vishwaroopam 2" on August 10.
The civil suit was filed to recover Rs. 5. 44 crore from Haasans production house which was paid to them for producing a film titled "Marmayogi" in Tamil and Hindi.
Justice C V Karthikeyan issued a notice to the actor and posted the matter for hearing on Monday i.e., August 6th, 2018.
As per the petitioner, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Rajkamal Films on April 2, 2008, for the production of "Marmayogi" at an estimated budget of Rs 100 crore. Out of the said amount Rs 10.90 crore was paid to Rajkamal Films in two installments towards the remuneration of Haasan for acting, directing and writing the story, screenplay and dialogue of the film.
The petitioner alleged that Haasan never showed any interest in commencing the production of the film even after the payment and instead tried to release another film, "Unnaipol Oruvan", by diverting the money paid to him for "Marmayogi" which was stalled by the petitioner by filing a recovery suit.
"On inquiries, we are given to understand that Kamal Haasan is heavily indebted to various creditors, having borrowed huge amounts from various persons to meet the production expenses of his forthcoming film, "Vishwaroopam 2."
The petitioner submitted that since Haasan is not able to repay any of the creditors, he is planning to release the film through Aascar Films so as to defeat, delay and defraud his creditors, including ourselves.
As an interim relief, the petitioner wanted the court to pass an injunction, restraining Haasan from releasing the film, pending disposal of the suit.