Nayanthara’s second release of this month, Imaikkaa Nodigal, directed by Ajay Gnanamuthu and produced by Cameo Films' CJ Jayakumar, was scheduled to hit the screens on Thursday, August 30. With tickets booked, eager fans from Tamil Nadu were disappointed to learn that the film’s morning and noon shows were cancelled in theatres across the state.
The reason seems to be the financial disputes between the producer and rights holders. The film’s KDM (Key Delivery Message) was not issued to start digital screening in theatres. A few theatres had announced that they’ll be playing Nayanthara’s Kolamaavu Kokila instead to compensate the already booked shows
Many screens in Chengalpet area cancel #ImaikkaaNodigal Noon Show, as ‘financial settlements ‘ are still going on, may start from Matinee shows. pic.twitter.com/5UCEK2tuFt
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) August 30, 2018
This is bad, #Imaikkaanodigal Matinee show also cancelled https://t.co/f8HkDyL9dW
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) August 30, 2018
The film’s release was also withheld in a few other places abroad. This news comes as a disappointment to many who had been waiting impatiently for its release. Later during the day, however, it was announced that the film’s first show will start playing in the evening.
Dude.. I am disappointed! Perhaps tomorrow I would watch #ImaikaaNodigal
— anjan (@anjangreat) August 30, 2018
#ImaikaaNodigal didn’t release due to KDM issues
— Manikandan RK (@ItzGreatMani) August 30, 2018
#ImaikaaNodigal release aguma agatha ?
— Prash (@callmegees) August 30, 2018
The Madras High Court has allowed the film be released under a few conditions. Sri Green Productions, that held the film’s distribution rights had sold North Arcot, South Arcot and Chengalpet region (NSC) distribution rights to RV Media for four crores. But this agreement was broken when Sri Green went ahead with the distribution of this film in the said area, which came as a surprise to RV Media. The lead them to file a case in the court, calling for a ban on the film.
Observing that the release of the film cannot be stalled further, Madras High Court Judge M Sundar ordered Sri Green Productions to pay up the first collection of Rs 4 crores to the court.
Nayanthara who has made a reputation for herself as Lady Superstar will be seen playing the role of a CBI officer on the trail of a serial killer played by Bollywood director and actor Anurag Kashyap. The film also stars Atharvaa, Raashi Khanna, and Vijay Sethupathi in an extended cameo.
An earlier statement released by Anurag Kashyap about the film read, “What pulled me towards acting in Imaikkaa Nodigal is the role. Rudra is not your typical baddie. He doesn’t just smoke, drink, order his men around and indulge in item numbers. He is menacing, scary, smart and cunning. This strange mixture that forms the role is what tempted me to take it up although I was tied up with my own projects back in Mumbai. When the audiences watch the movie in theatre, if I’m able to evoke the tiniest of fears in them, as Rudra, I’ll consider my work done.”