Harish Shankar’s Valmiki in troubled waters!

Valmiki’s back in the news! Directed by Harish Shankar and starring Varun Tej, the remake of Tamil hit Jigarthanda is being produced by Ram and Gopi Achanta. According to a source however, all is not well between the producers and the director.

“Initially, the director told them that he would complete the film within a budget of Rs 20 crores, but now it has increased substantially,” says a source, adding that the director is not even responding to the producers’ queries.

Both Ram and Gopi are known to be soft-spoken persons who handle things very smoothly. “Now, Harish is asking for full remuneration before the release and the theatrical rights of a few areas like Vizag and Krishna, which has irked the producers,” adds the source.

Meanwhile, though they are at loggerheads, the shoot is on. Apparently, actress Pooja Hegde, who has a small role in the film for which she has allotted 20 days, was given a big remuneration by Harish, who also shot a lavish special song recently at a private studio.

“Lead actor Varun Tej is not supporting either of the parties as he is simply doing his work,” reveals another source, adding, “A few people close to the producers have now stepped in to solve the problem as the film is coming close to completion.”