The Madras High Court today stayed the release of Tamil film ‘Bheema’, starring popular filmstars Vikram and Trisha.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice P Jyothimani granted the interim stay and posted to September 3, further hearing of an appeal filed by R Madesh, a financier.
Madesh submitted that he had extended financial assistance to the tune of Rs 25 lakh to A M Rathinam, proprietor of Sri Surya Movies, producer of the film Bheema in the year 2000 for business/production purposes. Rathinam gave several written assurances when he demanded the amount.
However, by superseding all earlier arrangements and taking back all earlier documents, Rathinam gave a letter dated January 2, 2007, treating the amount as advance received from him for the picture. Rathinam failed to honour his committment and was contemplating releasing the movie Bheema, Madesh said.
Therefore he filed a suit and a single judge restrained Rathinam from selling, leasing, releasing or transferring any right to third parties.
Subsequently on July 17 2007, a single Judge vacated the interim order and dismissed his petition on the applications filed by Rathinam. Against this, the present appeal was filed, Madesh added.
