CHENNAI: The Madras high court has restrained Thenandal Studios Limited from using the word “Mersal” in the upcoming movie starred by actor Vijay, Samantha, Kajal Aggarwal and Nithya Menon. The film is expected to hit the silver screen in October.
When a petition filed by A. Rajendran of Film Factori of Villavakkam, Chennai, came up for hearing on Friday, Justice Anitha Sumanth, granted an interim stay. And posted the matter after Dussara holidays for further hearing.
According to Rajendran, he had selected a story and titled it as ‘Mersalaitan’. He had registered the story with the Tamil Nadu Film Writers’ Association. When he came to know that the title had already been registered in the name of Green Apple Pictures, by its proprietor Mohammed Sadiq, he approached him and obtained a no objection certificate to transfer the title in his name and thus the title ‘Mersalaitan’ and 'Naan Mersalaitan’ had been registered in his name. The title was also registered with the Tamil Nadu, Tamil Film Producers Council in 2014, which was confirmed by the Council by its letter dated May 19, 2015. And he commenced the production of his film Mersalaitan’ in August 2016.
He was shocked to note that there has been another film titled 'Mersal’ and the advertising material was released on June 20 last. He lodged complaints with the Councils and as there was no proper response, he filed the present petition. Among others, SJ Surya and others act in the film and its teaser was released two days ago.
