We all got very excited when it was announced that director Shankar is remaking Anniyan in Hindi with Ranveer Singh in the lead. However, soon enough, producer Aascar Ravichandran sent a notice to Shankar, saying he can’t remake the film since the rights lie with him. Shankar shot back saying he didn’t sign off the rights to anyone.
Now, it has been learnt that Ravichandran has approached the South Indian Chamber of Commerce and raised the issue further. Chairman of the SICC, Ravi Kottarakara was quoted as saying by ET, “Since V Ravichandran is a member of our association, we have received his complaint. We will be writing to director Shankar, asking for his reply to the alleged complaint. We will wait for Shankar's response."
In case you didn’t know, Ravichandran’s text to Shankar follows as such:
“I am utterly shocked to know, that you are likely to undertake the direction of a Hindi film by adopting 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 adoption or remaking or copying the main plot of the said movie, without my permission, is totally illegal. Further, I wish to remind you that after the not-so-successful film namely 'BOYS' directed by you, you were under severe stress due to dented image. Still, I have provided you with the opportunity to direct the film 'Anniyan', after which you have regained the lost ground, only because of my support. 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 adaptation of Hindi version of the same. 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. 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.” (sic)