Sasikumar's new film runs into title trouble

A stay order has been issued against the use of the title of the film 'Sundarapandian', scheduled to release on September 14. The order follows a petition  filed in the city civil court by Jupiter Film Makers, who claim to have produced a movie with the same title way back in the ’90s.

Director Sasikumar plays the lead role in new film, which has newcomer Lakshmi Menon, Vijay Sethupathi and Soori in supporting roles. Sasikumar’s  Company Productions has produced the film.

A stay order was passed on Monday, following plaintiff Jupiter Film Makers’ claim that they had already made a film in 1998 with the same title, with Karthik, Heera, Vadievelu and Manivannan in important roles.

Director and producer of the Karthik-flick, Raghu, said, “We completed the film in 1998, but couldn’t release it then due to financial problems. But the movie released in 1999 on Deepavali day in a few centres like Salem, Tiruchy and Tanjore.”

Raghu claimed that he wanted to release the film in other centres and sell the satellite rights, when he came to know that Company Productions was making a movie with the same title.

“I tried several times to reach Sasikumar but couldn’t,” he said. Company Productions can either change the title or go for a compromise to avoid delay in releasing the film. Producer Sasikumar was not available for comment.