Troubles continue to mount for Karthi's Vaa Vaathiyaar. Directed by Nalan Kumarasamy, the film, backed by Studio Green's KE Gnanavel Raja, was set to initially hit theatres on December 12, but was postponed, a day prior to the release following an order passed by the Madras High Court. The makers, had approached the Supreme Court on Wednesday to resolve the issues, but the top court declined to lift the ban on the film.
Vaa Vaathiyaar’s release issue is said to stem from pending payments, with producer KE Gnanavel Raja allegedly yet to clear dues owed to K Arjunlal Sunderdas. Ahead of the film's release, The Madras HC had ordered Gnanavel Raja to repay the total dues of Rs 21,78,50,000 and noted that until the dues are repaid, Vaa Vaathiyaar's release would be stayed.
Upon their appeal in SC, a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar stated that it was not inclined to interfere with the order passed by the Madras HC.
Earlier reports suggested that the makers were planning to release the film on December 24 after resolving the issues, a date that coincides with the death anniversary of late Chief Minister and actor MG Ramachandran. However, with legal hurdles still looming, a release on that day now appears unlikely.
The film is billed as an action-comedy entertainer and marks the first collaboration between Karthi and director Nalan Kumarasamy. Vaa Vaathiyar is the director's third feature film, after Soodhu Kavvum (2013) and Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum (2016).
In the film, Karthi plays a cop raised on the ideals of late superstar MG Ramachandran, instilled in him by his father (Rajkiran). The story hints at a high-level political conspiracy far beyond his character's authority, yet circumstances draw him into its web, yet he wants to takes a stand for justice in classic MGR style. Apart from Karthi and Krithi Shetty, the film also stars Rajkiran, Sathyaraj, Anandaraj, Karunakaran, GM Sundar, Shilpa Manjunath, and Ramesh Thilak in pivotal roles.
Santhosh Narayanan has composed music for the film, continuing his collaboration with Nalan after Soodhu Kavvum (2013) and Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum (2016).