Producer Michael Rayappan and director Adhik Ravichandran, at a quickly convened press meet last evening, denounced actor Silambarasan for the losses they incurred due to the failure of Anbanavan, Asaradhavan, Adangadhavan, which released earlier this year. Rayappan, speaking to the media, said that he went ahead with the production despite having been warned by other producers to not trust Silambarasan. “But I disregarded their advice,” began Rayappan, “The movie was supposed to start rolling in April, but it went on floors only in July. Even then, Simbu troubled us quite a bit during the shoot in Dindigul. Later, when we moved the sets to Thailand, we waited for him for 10 days with all crew in place, he didn’t turn up.” The producer then added that he was asked to release the film when only 30 per cent was complete. “Simbu wanted us to release the movie in two parts. I told him that the film [part 1] would fail if released as there was no beginning or an end, but he said he would work it out with Adhik, do the second part without remuneration and would also would bear the losses if any.”
Director Adhik Ravichandran, echoing Rayappan’s words, said. “The movie was not under our control. We had Tamannaah for 30 days, but shot only for 15; we had Shriya for 15 days, but shot only for six. I did think about filing a complaint, but Simbu said that if AAA doesn’t work out, he would do another film with us.”
My first movie wasn’t great, said Adhik of the 2015 film Trisha Illena Nayanthara, “First padam kevalama thaan eduthen, aana adhu odiduchu [my first movie wasn’t shot well but it had a good run in theatres]. So, I wanted to make an action film with Simbu, and had harboured hopes of turning a commercial director.”
Earlier, a few newspapers had reported that a “red notice” was issued to Simbu by the Tamil Nadu Film Producers’ Council based on complaints from several producers. The “notice” reportedly meant that the actor wouldn’t be able to take up other movies until the issue was resolved. The Times of India had quoted TFPC President Vishal as saying that a letter was sent to the Nadigar Sangam based on the complaint of Rayappan. “Since this is an actor’s issue, Prakash Raj and I are staying out of it. The Sangam will now talk to Simbu, to know his stand and resolve the problem. However, Simbu called me and said he hasn’t gotten any letter from the TFPC. So, we’ve asked the council to send him a copy of the letter addressed to the Sangam,” Vishal had said.
In the press meet that happened yesterday though, producer Michael Rayappan denied knowledge of a “notice” issued to Simbu. “The TFPC said they had forwarded my complaint to the Nadigar Sangam,” he said, “and if the Sangam finds it valid after investigations, they said that I would hear from them, and something good at that.”
Silambarasan is also a part of Mani Ratnam’s next – a multi-starrer featuring Jyotika, Fahadh Faasil, Aishwarya Rajesh, Arvind Swami and Vijay Sethupathi.
Read our review of Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan here.
