The Madras High Court on Monday dismissed the appeal filed by the filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon and its production house Photon Factory, ordering RS to pay ₹4.25 crore along with 12 percent annual interest. Infotainment.IANS reports say that a Division Bench comprising Justices P. Velmurugan and K. Govindarajan Thilakavadi upheld the earlier order. The court refused to consider the appeal filed in May 2022. The judgment confirmed that Gautham Menon and his company must pay Rs 4.25 crore to RS Infotainment, along with 12 percent annual interest from May 2010, according to reports.
Background of the conflict
The case concerns an agreement signed on November 27, 2008. RS Infotainment made a deal with Photon Factory for “production no. 6.’According to the agreement, production was scheduled to begin on December 10, 2008. It was expected to be completed by April 5, 2009.The production house agreed to invest 13.5 million for the project. However, the film never went on floors, leading to a long dispute.
Payments and legal claims
Although the project was not started, RS Infotainment paid Rs 4.25 crore in various installments to Photon Factory.The agreement also contained a clause that if the film was not completed within the deadline, the amount should be returned with 24 percent interest.Later, on February 12, 2010, additional time was granted to complete the project. When there was still no progress, the company filed a civil lawsuit in 2013 seeking damages.
Court Notes and Judgment
Reportedly, Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, in his earlier order dated April 5, 2022, ruled in favor of the production house. The judge observed that there was no evidence that this 4.25 crore was used for any other film.Specifically, the court stated that the funds were not used for ‘Neethane En Ponvasantham’.The court ordered Gautham Vasudev Menon and his company to repay Rs 4.25 crore with 12 per cent interest from 2010 onwards. They were also ordered to pay court costs of 12 thousand rupees.As the appeal was dismissed by the Division Bench, the above order is hereby confirmed.
Working front of GVM
On the professional front, Gautham Vasudev Menon was last associated with “Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse” starring Mammootty.The film is gaining appreciation after its OTT release. Many viewers have admitted that they were lost in his theater.Responding to the response, the filmmaker shared a note saying, “Thank you for the overwhelming response to my film, Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse. I have heard very good things about the film and the number of viewers at home.”He also added, “Finally” and I’m thinking about it “for a long time.” Thanks and a shout out to THE Mammookka.”Disclaimer: This report is a journalistic account of a recent development in court. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy based on available information, this is not a substitute for an official court order or legal advice. The final decision published by the court is the final source of information. This article serves as a report on the current state of the case and should not be considered legal guidance.
