Days after the adopted son of Haji Mastan Mirza, Sundar Shaekar, wrote to superstar Rajinikanth asking him not to depict his father as a smuggler and a don in his upcoming film, the producers of Rajini’s next have clarified that the movie is not a biopic. Wunderbar Films, owned by actor-producer Dhanush, have released a statement clarifying that their as yet untitled ‘Production No. 12’ is a fiction set in Mumbai, and is not based on any real life characters.
“There have been several reports about our Production No. 12, starring Rajinikanth and directed by Pa Ranjith - both about the film and about the story,” the release said.
“One such rumour published in some publications is that the film is based on the life of Shri Haji Mastan. Based on these reports, the adopted son of Haji Mastan, Sundar Shaeker, has written to Superstar Rajinikanth. We would like to make it clear that Production No. 12 is a fiction with Mumbai as the backdrop,” the release by Wunderbar Films added.
“Specifically, this film is not about Shri Haji Mastan or his family background,” the release clarified.
The statement comes after Sundar Shaeker, in a notice to Rajinikanth, wrote, “You are depicting my God Father and a well-known national political leader as a smuggler and underworld don, which is highly unacceptable and I strongly oppose such misrepresentation of my God Father.”
Sundar also threatened legal action against the movie. Saying that Haji Mastan was the founder of Bharatiya Minorities Suraksha Mahasangh, Sundar wrote, “There is a huge political party behind him and all party workers are in a state of anger on such misrepresentation of him as a smuggler or underworld don and if any such attempt is made by you to produce any such film, then I shall be constrained to adopt legal proceedings and it is needless to say that the same shall be entirely at your risks as to costs and consequences, which please note.” (sic)