Netrikann controversy: Kavithalayaa Productions hits back at director Visu!

Joining the debate over the remake rights of the 1981 hit, Netrikann, Kavithalayaa Productions today hit out at director Visu for making statements, which it claimed, were ‘without merits’ and ‘without any verification of real facts’

It all started with rumours being floated around that actor Dhanush was interested in remaking the Rajinikanth-starrer, Netrikann. Dhanush, it was said, would reprise both the roles of Rajinikanth in the film, while Keerthy Suresh would play the heroine.

When word of this got to director Visu, who was the original story writer of the film, he issued a statement saying that he would take legal action against Dhanush if the latter did not take his permission before remaking the hit film.

Under these circumstances, Kavithalayaa Productions, which had bankrolled the film, has broken its silence and hit back at Visu today.

In a statement issued to the media, Kavithalayaa said, “Founded by the doyen of the Tamil Film industry, Kavithalayaa recognizes and respects the works and rights of various individuals and is very careful and cautious when acquiring or dealing with such rights. As the producer of the film ‘Netrikkan’, Kavithalayaa is the absolute owner of all the copyrights related to the said film. Mr. Visu has been reporting in several sections of media that he has not been compensated as a writer in the licensing of the Tamil remake rights of ‘Netrikkan’, besides falsely accusing Kavithalayaa and its officers of various infringements. Mr. Visu’s statements are without merits and have been made without any verification of real facts.”

The firm also went on to say that, “As the copyright holders of the film Netrikan, Kavithalayaa has not assigned the Tamil remake rights of the said film in favor of any third party, and will adhere to its agreements by compensating the required parties if any assignment happens in the future.

“The right to use only the title, Netrikkan has been given to a third party and this right exclusively belongs to Kavithalayaa. The insinuations and accusations levied on Kavithalayaa and its officers in connection with other films are also completely baseless and denied. Kavithalayaa or its officers are not even parties to the action said to havebeen initiated by Mr. Visu in respect of the film Thillu Mullu. Kavithalayaa asserts that they have at all times adhered to the Agreements with writers/ authors and there has been no violation whatsoever in the eyes of the law.”