Film distributors in Tiruchirapalli have refused to release Jayam Ravi-starrer Comali due to an on-going issue with Sakthi Film Factory, the distributors of the film, and Studio Green, which produced Mr Local. The Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC) has intervened and said that if the distributors in the district don’t release Comali tomorrow as scheduled, they will order a ban on all Tamil films in Tiruchirapalli.
Since the release of Mr Local in May this year, distributors and theatre owners in Tiruchirapalli have been demanding compensation for the loss faced. They have refused to release Comali, stating that one of the distributors from Sakthi Film Factory helped Studio Green with the sales of distribution rights for Mr Local to them, and therefore it must compensate their loss.
According to sources, they have demanded Rs 1.6 crore from Ishari K Ganesh of Vels International, the producer of Comali. T Siva, a member of TFPC who has intervened in the issue, told Silverscreen that the Council has approached the district Collector with a complaint and is confident about a positive response. He said, “This is a loss that the distributors faced, and it need not be compensated by the producers of Mr Local. Moreover, the producer of Comali has nothing to do with Mr Local. Since Ishari Ganesh is a big name, they are hoping he will give in to their demands and compensate them as he would want his film to release tomorrow. This is their way of blackmailing him.”
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He said the Collector is already in talks with theatreowners and distributors in Tiruchirapalli. “His word on the matter will be final.” According to a report by News 18, Ishari Ganesh also met the press today and said that they were unfairly dragged in into an existing issue.
The comedy-entertainer is written and directed by newcomer Pradeep Ranganathan, and stars Jayam Ravi, Yogi Babu, Kajal Aggarwal, Samyuktha Hegde and others. It was already in the news following the launch of its hugely-popular trailer, following which fans of actor Rajinikanth trolled the team for a scene that seemed to ridicule the Superstar’s political entry. The team said the scene would not be removed, but modified so as to not hurt sentiments. The film releases tomorrow.