Shankar reacts to Aascar Ravichandran's claims about Anniyan Hindi remake rights

Director Shankar, in a strongly-worded letter, has responded to the allegations levelled against him by producer Aascar Ravichandran over the remake rights of Anniyan. In his statement, Shankar reiterated that the film's rights belong to him and pointed out that he was credited for the story and screenplay of Anniyan in the title card. On April 15, producer Aascar Ravichandran called the Hindi remake of Anniyan illegal and claimed that he owns the rights of the story.

WHAT DID SHANKAR REPLY?

In his response to Aascar Ravichandran, director Shankar said that he continues to retain the right to exploit the story of Anniyan as he sees fit. He also clarified that late writer Sujatha worked on Anniyan as a dialogue writer and not on the story.

Here's his statement:

“I am shocked to receive your mail dated 14.04.2021 stating that you own the storyline of the movie Anniyan. In this context, I submit that the movie was released in the year 2005 and everyone associated with the movie was aware that the script and storyline belong exclusively to me and in fact, the movie was released with the tag: story, screenplay and direction by Shankar. I have not assigned in writing any script or screenplay to any person, and continue to retain the right to exploit the script in any manner I deem fit. As the admitted author of the literary work, my rights cannot be interfered with under any circumstances.

"I am rather surprised to see the reference to late Sri Sujatha, as he was engaged by me to write dialogues for the film and was accordingly credited. He was not involved in the script, screenplay or characterisation in any manner, and there is no scope beyond his engagement as a dialogue writer.

"Given that the script vests with me, I am absolutely entitled to exploit the same in any manner I deem fit. In fact, you/your entity does not have the right to remake or make any derivative rights for Anniyan, as the said rights have not been granted to you in writing. In the absence of any assignment in writing from me, there can be no basis whatsoever to even assert that the storyline vests with you.

"You as the producer have gained substantially from the success of the film Anniyan, and are needlessly trying to unjustly enrich yourself even in my future endeavours which have no correlation to you. Needless to state, I can only hope good sense will prevail upon you after this clarification, and you will stop agitating such baseless claims. This reply is issued without prejudice, and to clarify the actual situation of me as a director and writer being subject to such avaricious and illegal claims to needlessly attempt to jeopardise my future projects.”

ARVIZHAGAN AND CHIMBUDEVAN SUPPORT SHANKAR

After Shankar reacted to producer Aascar Ravichandran's claims, directors Arivazhagan and Chimbudevan, who had worked as assistant directors to Shankar took to Twitter to extend their support. The hashtag #ISupportDirectorShankar trended on Twitter.

Director Arivazhagan wrote that he worked as an assistant filmmaker in Anniyan and expressed his solidarity with Shankar.

As an AD of #Anniyan, I stand with @shankarshanmugh Sir #ISupportDirectorShankar pic.twitter.com/24eoWVPIKa — Arivazhagan (@dirarivazhagan) April 15, 2021

Similarly, Chimbudevan extended his support to his mentor Shankar.

I stand with Director & Writer @shankarshanmugh Sir..#ISupportDirectorShankar pic.twitter.com/e3WA5wiyjW — Chimbu Deven (@chimbu_deven) April 15, 2021

A couple of days ago, Shankar announced the Hindi remake of Anniyan with Ranveer Singh and Pen Movies. The film has hit a roadblock now over the remake rights.

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