Madras HC Put stay on Release of Vishal’s Film “Mark Antony” Over Unpaid Debt

The Madras High Court recently passed a temporary restraining order against the release of the movie “Mark Antony,” starring Vishal, which was originally scheduled for release on September 15.

A single bench of Justice PT Asha also directed Vishal to appear before the Court on September 12, 2023.

The order was passed in a case filed against Vishal for allegedly failing to repay ₹15 crore out of the ₹21.29 crore he owes entertainment company Lyca Productions. The lawsuit claims that Vishal had initially borrowed over ₹21 crore from GN Anbu Chezhian. When he couldn’t repay the loan, Lyca Productions stepped in and paid Anbu Chezhian under an agreement in which Vishal agreed to repay Lyca the full amount along with an annual interest rate of 30 percent.

However, when Vishal failed to honor his commitment to Lyca, the company approached the High Court. Last year on March 8, the High Court ordered Vishal to deposit ₹15 crore. Additionally, the Court restrained Vishal from releasing any films he produced or financed, either in theaters or on over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

Lyca Productions recently filed an application asserting that Vishal had neither deposited the money nor submitted an affidavit outlining his assets, as mandated by the Court in March 2022.

In the latest order, Justice Asha criticized Vishal’s behavior as “unacceptable” and accused him of attempting to evade court orders. Consequently, the High Court granted an injunction order against the release of the film “Mark Antony,” in which Vishal played a role. Given Vishal’s repeated disregard for the Court’s orders, he was directed to appear before the Court on September 12, 2023.