HC seeks Vishal's bank a/c details; 'Mark Antony' to be released as scheduled

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has ordered actor Vishal to submit his bank accounts details from 2021 and warned him he will not be allowed to act if his averments before the court are found false.

The court also allowed the release of the film Mark Antony on September 15 as per earlier schedule.

Justice P T Asha directed Vishal to produce his and his family members' movable and immovable asset details before the court while hearing a civil suit case failed by Lyca Productions against the actor.

The judge also ordered Vishal to come up with a road map to settle the money dispute with Lyca Productions, on September 19.

The judge also granted Vishal, to dispense with his presence.

The court also warned Vishal that if his averments about his bank statements that he doesn't have resources to repay the money to Lyca Productions, are found false, perjury proceedings will be initiated against him.

"If I found anything wrong I will not allow him to act in future" observed the judge in open court.

The senior counsel P H Arvindh Pandian appeared for Vishal argued that the film Chakra produced and acted by Vishal will make Rs.17 crore in OTT and satellite.

If the OTT and satellite rights for the film 'Chakra' are given to the actor, they are ready to monetize it and repay the money.

He further contended that there is a stay on Chakra to release in OTT and satellite.

However, the Senior counsel Raghavachari for Lyca contended that the film was released two years ago, and now there is no value for the film.

The counsel for Vishal contended that he had not received any money from Lyca, and an agreement was made between Vishal and Lyca to settle the loan which was taken by Vishal from Gopuram films Anbu Chezhiyan.

The counsel further contended that Lyca has promised to pay Rs 8 crore as GST for Vishal which was not made out, hence his bank account is frozen. The counsel for Vishal also contended he received Rs.15 crore only from Anbu Chezhiyan and doesn't know how it changed to Rs.21.29 crore as Lyca contends. Further, he asked to appoint a Chartered accountant and mediator to sit across the table to arrive at how much money is liable to pay.

Countering this submission the counsel for Lyca said the actor is developing an argument as if in the movie, they are scripting a movie in court.

On a lighter note, the judge said the question is who is directing the movie.

The counsel for Lyca objected to Vishal's submission that he didn't have any resources to repay the money.

The counsel said Vishal received Rs.40 crore for the past two years as salary for various projects.

Senior counsel P S Raman appeared for Mini Studios, the producer of Vishal starrer film Mark Antony.

The counsel requested permission to release the film, he contended as the film is slated to release on September 15 the distributors of the film are on his neck, due to the court restrained the release of the film.

Accepting this the judge allowed the release of Mark Antony on the slated date.

Vishal had taken a loan from Anbu Chezhian of Gopuram Films and when he remained unpaid the loan amount Lyca Productions stepped in and paid Anb Chezhian on the promise that Vishal would repay the entire amount to Lyca with the interest at the rate of 30 percent per annum. However the amount remained unpaid, and Lyca had approached the High Court. While hearing the petition the single Judge directed Vishal to make a fixed deposit of Rs.15 crore to the credit of the civil suit.

However, Vishal contended before the court that he did not have the requisite resources to deposit Rs. 15 crores.

He also failed to submit the affidavit disclosing all his assets as the court ordered.