Telugu film distributor threatened in city

A newly released Telugu film, starring the legendary NTR's grandson Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, is turning out to be a nightmare for the film's distributor in Bengaluru. V Vijay Kumar, a leading distributor of Telugu films in Karnataka, has filed a police complaint against another distributor K Manjunath and two others for allegedly threatening to kill him.In his complaint, Vijay Kumar said it was a distress call from the legendary NTR family to help Nandamuri Harikrishna's film Patas release in Bangalore that led to the turn of events. Police sources, quoting the complaint, said on January 21, Harikrishna (son of the legendary NTR) from NTR Arts in Hyderabad contacted Vijay and requested him to help manage the release of Patas, which is produced under their banner. Harikrishna's son Nandamuri Kalyan Ram is playing the lead in the film.The complaint says Manju nath and two others had earlier committed for the release of the said film, but failed to keep up with his commitment and had defaulted the payment to Harikrishna.
Manjunath has reportedly approached Harikrishna for the distribution rights of Patas for Karnataka. It was reportedly agreed to pay NTR Arts a non-recoverable advance of Rs 63 lakhs towards the said distribution rights.Manjunath had reportedly paid an advance of Rs 15 lakhs through Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and had agreed to pay Rs 25 lakh within 15 days from the day of the first payment was made. The remaining balance of Rs 23 lakh was to be paid by him in seven days prior to the release of the said film, the officer said.
Manjunath is said to have sent just Rs 2.5 lakh through RTGS and even as the scheduled date was nearing, Janaury 23, he kept avoiding Harikrishna and didn't pick up calls. Nor did he send the remaining balance of Rs 45.50 lakhs as assured by him. Meanwhile, Manjunath, along with two others had confirmed theaters in Bengaluru and other places, had taken advance from exhibitors to screen the film. Despite having announced the film's release date, Manjunath did not settle the producer's dues.The film's release on January 23 looked in jeopardy. It was then -on January 21 -Harikrishna contacted Vijay, a long-time associate, to help the release of the film in Karnataka on January 23. In the complaint, Vijay says alleged Manjunath and his henchmen are threatening to kill him after the film was released.
Vijay, along with his another partner, confirmed theaters and managed to release the film on Jan 24, leading to financial loss to producers. Vijay Kumar admitted that a case had been registered against Manjunath and two others while refusing to divulge more details about the case. C M Manjunath said, “The issue is being settled and a discussion in this regard was held at Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC). I have never threatened Vijay or anybody.“