Aascar Ravichandran sends legal notice to Shankar over Ranveer Singh-fronted Anniyan remake

We had reported yesterday that director Shankar will be directing the Hindi remake of his hit 2005 Tamil film, Anniyan, with Ranveer Singh playing the lead role. Now, the producer of the Tamil film, V Ravichandran of Aascar Films, has issued a legal notice to Shankar for not getting the necessary permissions. 

In a strongly-worded statement, Ravichandran said, "I am utterly shocked to know that you are likely to undertake the direction of a Hindi film by adapting the story of the movie Anniyan. You are well aware of the fact that I am the producer of the said movie Anniyan. The entire story rights was purchased by me from the writer Sujatha (alias late Rangarajan) for which full payment was done by me to him and necessary records are also available. I am the whole and sole owner of the rights of the storyline. As such, any such adaption or remaking or copying the main plot of the said movie, without my permission, is totally illegal."

The producer also went on to point out how he provided Shankar the opportunity to direct Anniyan when he was under "severe stress due to dented image" after directing the "not so successful film namely Boys" and how this helped the filmmaker gain lost ground. "It is a sorry state of affairs that you have conveniently forgotten the same and without even informing me, you have tried to reap the accolades of my successful movie Anniyan by associating yourself and adapting it to Hindi. I am sure you always maintain certain ethical values, hence I wonder how can you stoop to a low level by resorting to such unlawful acts," he added. 

The producer concluded the statement by saying, "You are hereby advised to immediately stop proceeding any further on the same, due to the illegal copying of the storyline for which the entire rights are held by me. Please note that a legal notice follows this letter."

Incidentally, Ravichandran had also bankrolled Shankar and Vikram's I, the actor-director's next collaboration after Anniyan.

Shankar is yet to respond to the statement which was released earlier today. 

Meanwhile, the Hindi remake of Anniyan is to be produced by Dr Jayantilal Gada under his banner Pen Studios. The yet-untitled film is set to go on floors in mid-2022.