Even as Kamal Haasan-starrer Indian 2 was just 50% into its making before the second wave of pandemic struck, the film’s director Shankar signed two films — one in Telugu with Ram Charan, and the other a Hindi film starring Ranveer Singh.
The Ram Charan-starrer, which was supposed to commence production in June for producer Dil Raju, will, however, stay on hold given the current COVID-19 scenario. Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Indian 2 seems to be only getting murkier.
Recently, the production house Lyca moved Madras High Court alleging that Shankar has taken up films in other languages, indicating Ram Charan’s and Ranveer Singh’s films, instead of completing Indian 2 as per schedule. However, Shankar also submitted a counter-affidavit stating his reasons for the delay in making Indian 2. The Court has posted the proceedings to 4 June.
The crux of the matter
This newspaper reliably learnt that last month, Lyca also wrote to the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and Producers Council, seeking their intervention over Shankar’s matter.
Mutyala Ramadas, Vice President, Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, (TFCC) even acknowledged the receipt of the letter. Stating that they had, in turn, forwarded the matter to the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC) to deal with the issue, Ramadas adds, “As Lyca is a member of the Telugu Film Producers Council (TFPC), they wrote asking us to interfere in Shankar’s matter and resolve the issue. Now, with this matter being sub judice, we are refraining from commenting further.”
“It all depends on the Court’s award; if it gives the decision in Lyca’s favour, then Shankar has to complete Indian 2 and then move on Ram Charan’s film,” informs a source.
