In a new trouble for Prakash Jha's film 'Aarakshan', the Madras high court on Monday stayed its release "anywhere in the world" until a dispute with a Chennai-based financier is settled. The order comes on the heels of protests in Mumbai and elsewhere against the movie. 
The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan, is billed as a socio-political drama revolving around caste-based reservation.
Sushil Gupta, director of G G Photo Limited, a local firm which supplies raw film and advances finance to its customers, filed a civil suit stating the film's producer Firoz A Nadiadwala has failed to pay back.3.25 crore he had borrowed.
Gupta alleged that Nadiadwala borrowed the sum on October 5, 2010 signing an undertaking to repay the sum with interest before September 2011 or before the release of any of his forthcoming films. He said, Nadiadwala issued four cheques on March 31, 2011 and they bounced. As per the agreement, Nadiadwala cannot release the prints of his film unless the entire dues were paid, Gupta claimed.
Gupta said when he came to know that the film was to be released worldwide on August 12, without repaying the dues, he moved court. Staying the release of the film, Justice V Periya Karuppiah said the filmmaker would have to pay.3,71,60,000 to be able to screen the film.
In a statement, Nadiadwala said, "As far as 'Aarakshan is concerned, Prakash Jha Productions has the sole rights to the film and rights to deal with the business of the film. Prakash Jha Productions has not entered into any agreement with Sushil Gupta of G G Photo. I am seized of the court order and am resolving the issue with Sushil Gupta."
The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan, is billed as a socio-political drama revolving around caste-based reservation.
Sushil Gupta, director of G G Photo Limited, a local firm which supplies raw film and advances finance to its customers, filed a civil suit stating the film's producer Firoz A Nadiadwala has failed to pay back.3.25 crore he had borrowed.
Gupta alleged that Nadiadwala borrowed the sum on October 5, 2010 signing an undertaking to repay the sum with interest before September 2011 or before the release of any of his forthcoming films. He said, Nadiadwala issued four cheques on March 31, 2011 and they bounced. As per the agreement, Nadiadwala cannot release the prints of his film unless the entire dues were paid, Gupta claimed.
Gupta said when he came to know that the film was to be released worldwide on August 12, without repaying the dues, he moved court. Staying the release of the film, Justice V Periya Karuppiah said the filmmaker would have to pay.3,71,60,000 to be able to screen the film.
In a statement, Nadiadwala said, "As far as 'Aarakshan is concerned, Prakash Jha Productions has the sole rights to the film and rights to deal with the business of the film. Prakash Jha Productions has not entered into any agreement with Sushil Gupta of G G Photo. I am seized of the court order and am resolving the issue with Sushil Gupta."
