A group of distributors and producers have alleged that Kalaipuli S Thanu stole money meant as compensation for the Lingaa debacle. They have also stated in a recent interview that this money was used to secure Rajinikanth’s schedule for Kabali. However, Kalaipuli S Thanu told Silverscreen that the allegations were baseless and “appalling”.
Over the past week, a small group of producers have been meeting the Commissioner of Police to request an investigation into the issue.
Thanu has also reportedly secured the schedules of top actors by agreeing to mediate in the compensation efforts for films that don’t do well at the box-office. Rooban, a distributor from Kanyakumari, says, “Thanu got Vijay’s dates for Theri by mediating for Thalaivaa and Puli. He did the same for Lingaa, and got Kabali.”
Recommended
At present, some distributors are asking to be compensated for Kabali. The film made nearly Rs 300 crores overall, but brought little relief to Tamil Nadu distributors. Rooban says, “It was not a big hit, like the Rajini films of the ’90s. It disappeared after a month. It did slightly better collection than Lingaa, that’s it.”
Thanu, meanwhile, has refuted the accusations. Speaking to Silverscreen, he said, “I have been in this business for more than two decades. I know what is professional, and what is not. These kinds of accusations against a senior producer is appalling. I will meet these accusations in court.”