Distributors of superstar Rajinikanth’s movie Lingaa, who demanded compensation for the heavy losses incurred while distributing and exhibiting the film, have decided go on a mass begging protest.
The distributors and theatre owners decided to take this step after their plea for a refund of Rs3.5 billion (Dh206 million) was declined by producer Rockline Venkatesh.
“Last month it was decided we will be compensated after extensive accounting of the losses. And for this, Rajini sir had appointed his friend and distributor Tirupur Subramaniam, who ascertained the quantum loss suffered by us. However, the producer is unwilling to pay [Rs3.5 billion],” distributor Singaravadivelan said.
He claims Eros International bought the theatrical rights of K.S. Ravikumar-directed Lingaaa for more than Rs1 billion.
“The amount we claim as refund is far less than the salary paid to Rajinikanth. If Eros had paid so much to buy the film, we don’t understand why it is difficult for producer Venkatesh to refund us when he had promised us that the film will do better business than Enthiran [Rajinikanth’s earlier film],” he said.
The mass begging protest is expected to start in Chennai on Tuesday from outside Rajinikanth’s residence.
“They’ve made us beg for the refund. And we will do it as we’ve run out of options. We will beg right outside Rajinikanth’s house,” he added.
Following the hunger strike last month, producer Venkatesh agreed to reimburse ten per cent of the losses incurred by the distributors, who turned down the offer.
