Actor Vaibhav, who was last seen in the 2017 romcom Meyaadha Maan, is awaiting the release of Sixer. Directed by Chachi and produced by Trident Arts and Wallmate Entertainment, the film is expected to release on August 30, Friday.
However, just a day before its release, well-known comedian Goundamani has sent a notice to the makes for the unauthorised use of his photo and dialogues from his iconic ‘Cook Kandasamy’ role in the 1991 Tamil film Chinna Thambi. Goundamani’s character in this film has night blindness or Nyctalopia, a condition in which the patient becomes vision impaired at night or in the evenings as a result of the low light. This premise gave scope for Goundamani to come up with well-timed comedy and thus became a hit among fans.
In the notice, the actor has asked the makers to delete the scene from the movie in which Vaibhav’s character speaks to Goundamani’s portrait on the wall, saying, “Grandfather you’ve done well! (sarcasm) God knows what you did in the nights, I’ve been afflicted with this condition now.” The dialogue that is heard just before Vaibhav walks up to his portrait, taken directly from the original film, also needs to be removed, says the notice.
As is seen from the video, which was released as a sneak peek, Vaibhav's character has night blindness and the makers have referred to Goundamani's character as his grandfather.
The notice also asks the makers to tender an open apology for dragging in his name without his consent. “Today, when our client watched the trailer of the movie Sixer released through YouTube, our client was shocked to note the manner in which his photograph has been used and degrading dialogues being uttered. The dialogue was extremely malicious and scandalous and causing serious disrepute to our client's fair name, reputation and standing. Using of our client's name, photograph and repeating his dialogues without his consent is nothing but infringement of personal rights and liberty in addition to copyright,” reads the notice.
திரு. கவுண்டமணி அவர்களின் அனுமதி பெறாமல் அவருடைய புகைப்படத்தையும் வசனங்களையும் 'சிக்ஸர்' என்ற திரைப்படத்தில் தவறான முறையில் அவதூறாக பயன்படுத்திய திரைப்பட தயாரிப்பாளர்கள் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க கோரி திரு.கவுண்டமணி அவர்களின் வழக்கறிஞர் திரு. க.சசிகுமார் அவர்கள் அனுப்பிய நோட்டீஸ். pic.twitter.com/VySuEv4S3L
— Nikkil (@onlynikil) August 29, 2019
Failing to do so, Goundamani’s notice adds, would result in the actor filing a defamation suit against the makers. The makers are yet to respond to the notice.