Release of Vettayadu Vilayadu stayed

Kamal Haasan's Vettayadu Vilayadu, the hottest film of 2006 directed by Gowtham Menon, appears to be jinxed. It has, from the day it was launched, been a bumpy ride for the film and its director.

Gowtham Menon couldn't even start shooting on the specified day after its original producer Kaja Moideen attempted suicide due to financial problems. As the future of the film hung in the balance, Manikam Narayanan of Seventh Channel stepped forward. The problems didn't end though. They only increased. The first jolt came in the form of a complaint by producer 'Oscar' Ravichandran. It was reported then that Kaja Moideen had sold the rights for the North and South Chengelpet areas for 2.70 crores to Ravichandran, who had even paid an advance of 1.70 crores. Ravichandran complained to the producers' council that after he backed out of the project, Moideen returned only 1.20 crores of the advance.

In addition to being the producer, Narayanan was forced to settle a major part of Moideen's debts as new creditors began surfacing everyday. Even amidst all these problems and threats, Gowtham Menon and Narayanan managed to complete the film, and the audio was released on February 5, 2006. It was also confirmed that the movie would release on April 14.

Now comes another jolt. The Madras High Court has issued an interim order against releasing the film based on a complaint by Delhi-based financier Mahendra Kumar Jain. According to the petitioner, Kaja Maideen had borrowed Rs 2.60 crore from him and promised to repay the amount before the film's release. The petitioner also complained that despite repeated reminders, Maideen refused to pay the money. In the meantime, Moideen had sold the film to Manickam Narayanan. Jain complained that this was done without consulting him, adding that the debt amount had now gone up to Rs 3.18 crores.

In his petition before Justice Chockalingam, Jain prayed that the copies of Vettayadu Vilayadu should not be delivered from Prasad Labs and the release should be stayed till his dues are settled.

It is sad but, as things stand, the chances of the film releasing on the day of the Tamil New Year are bleak.