Madras High Court Stays Release Of Dileep-Starrer 'Neekkam' Over Financial Dispute

The Madras High Court has restrained the release, distribution, and exhibition of the Malayalam film 'Neekkam', starring Dileep and directed by Jagan Shaji Kailas.

The temporary order came on a plea filed by A.V. Anoop, proprietor of AVA Productions, who claimed a contractual charge over the film after alleging that its producer had failed to repay advances extended under earlier production agreements.

Justice K. Kumaresh Babu granted ad-interim protection to AVA Productions. The court also issued notice to the respondents and made it returnable in four weeks.

Anoop had entered into a production agreement on February 1, 2025 and a supplementary production agreement on March 28, 2025 with Sandeep Chandrasenan Nair, proprietor of Urvasi Theatres. He claimed to have advanced funds to Nair under those agreements.

According to Anoop, funds were advanced to Nair under the agreements. The application stated that a cheque issued by Nair in connection with an earlier film was later dishonoured.

Anoop also relied on the supplementary agreement. Under its terms, Nair had agreed to create a priority charge over his next film if the advance remained unpaid.

'Neekkam' was scheduled for release, and promotional material had already been circulated. AVA Productions therefore approached the High Court seeking protection of its claimed rights pending arbitration.

After hearing senior advocate J. Sivanandaraaj for AVA Productions, the court found grounds to grant interim relief.

The order notes that the applicant relied on the dishonoured cheque. It also refers to the priority charge created under the supplementary agreement and the impending release of the film.

The court consequently granted an ad-interim injunction restraining the release, distribution and exhibition of 'Neekkam' until further orders.

Notice was ordered to Urvasi Theatres, Alex E. Kurian, UFO Moviez India Ltd. and Qube Cinema Technologies.