Mohanlal L2 Empuran Producer Lyca steps down enters Gokulam / Sona hates Vadivelu Why ?

Finally Gokulam Gopalan of Gokulam Movies has stepped in to ensure Mohanlal’s L2 Empuran release on March 27th. We had reported that Ashirwad Cinemas the company owned by Antony Perumbavoor is running to raise money to atleast partly pay the Rs 80 crores plus interest that Lyca has been asking ( read; https://southfilmy.blogspot.com/2025/03/mohanlal-most-crucial-film-l2-empuran.html). As Red Giant is not chipping in with any money, Gokulam Gopalan who regularly buys Tamil films for Kerala Distribution has chipped and mediated a settlement by joining Ashirwad Movies as producer. Lyca will get a part of the invested amount and rest it can recover through theatrical collections. Gokulam and Ashirwad will share the Malayalam version proceeds. To put an end to speculation that film is not releasing on March 27th, it has put out a post reaffirming that it is sure to come. Mohanlal is at shooting spot and so also Prithviraj at Rajamouli shoot. From what we hear is that Lyca will remain as Tamil Nadu distributor and not co- producer. Ashirwad had tried to rope in Confident Group to step in but it did not fulfill. Lyca was the presenter of the film and out of Rs 150 crores, it put in Rs 80 crores and rest of it came by accounting the salaries of Mohanlal and Prithviraj and footing VFX bills. Lyca wanted 50 % of the proceeds as it knew that it cannot recover the money from Tamil Nadu and two Telugu States. To this Ashirwad has not agreed and now that Lyca will get compensated by Gokulam. Another reason for Lyca to have a scare was that the Kerala Producers and Exhibitors negative approach about the film. Times Group Junglee Pictures and Mumbai based biggest Digital rights holder GoldMine had stepped in to produce Malayalam films. Lyca has a business arrangement with Gokulam over Kerala distribution of their Tamil films. Overseas deals are not confirmed yet as Lyca and Ashirwad differences existed. Lyca is a major player overseas. Similarly OTT platforms will not confirm any deal without release clarity.

Sona Heiden who is busy doing a biopic on her life and career was quoted saying that even if she is given Rs 1 crore, she will not act opposite Vadivelu. They had become a good pair with Chandramukhi. Now that Vadivelu has made a comeback was the question posed. She said that she had a bitter experience with him. Kerala Producer Alleppey Ashraf said that Vadivelu and a Malayalee actress were in a relationship and unlike Kerala actors who promise to compensate with money and cheat, the comedian bought for his lady love a bungalow. Sona seems o have a different story. Her biopic is coming on OTT.

Shankae says ED attachment legal abuse / Vidamuyurchi gives Rs 15 cr profit to Lyca : see breakup

Director Shankar {ress Release in full I wish to bring to public attention a recent action taken by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Chennai Zonal Office, in which they have provisionally attached three immovable properties of mine, based on baseless plagiarism allegations related to the film Enthiran (Robot). Till date, there is no communication from the Enforcement Directorate regarding the attachment, but the attachment was widely circulated in Media. This action not only misinterprets the legal facts but also represents a clear misuse of the legal process. It is crucial to highlight that the matter concerning these allegations was already thoroughly adjudicated by the Hon'ble High Court in Civil Suit No. 914/2010. The Court carefully examined the evidence and arguments from both sides, dismissing the claim filed by Aarur Tamil Nadan, which sought to declare him as the rightful copyright holder of the Enthiran story. Despite this clear judicial resolution, the Enforcement Directorate has proceeded with the attachment of my properties, relying on an independent report from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and ignoring the binding judgment of the Hon'ble High Court in C.S.No.914/2010. Furthermore, the private complaint referred to by the Enforcement Directorate has already been stayed by the Hon'ble High Court, Chennai in the order passed in Crl.MP.No.13914/23 in Crl.Op.No.20452/23. Given these facts, I am deeply disheartened by the continued action of the ED, despite a clear legal ruling from the Civil Court, which categorically stated that no copyright violation took place. This overreach represents a blatant abuse of the legal process. I trust the authorities will review their actions and cease further proceedings in this matter. Should they fail to do so, I will have no choice but to appeal against the attachment order. Attachment: Judgment passed in C.S.No.914/2010 dated 15.06.2023

Ajith's Vidamuyurchi's Producers Lyca Productions would make a table profit of Rs 15 crores after the OTT- satellite rights are sold and revenue from own overseas distribution ( made good profits) minus the India theatrical business revenue. As Lyca had not sold the Tamil Nadu area to any outside distributor and distributed on their own and giving it on refundable advance, no one will come to claim losses. Here is the breakup: VIDAAMUYARCHI BOX-OFFICE - AUSSIE INDIAN With releases of NEEK and Dragon. Vidaamuyarchi theatrical business is almost closed. So let's see final box-office; ROI is Rest of India and Os is Overseas Budget - 185 cr Ajith Re64 muneration- 100 cr Trisha- 3 cr Arjun Sarja - 2 cr Regina- 1 cr Anirudh - 10 cr Magizh - 6 cr Rest of the cast and crew- 8 cr Production - 55 cr (Including prints and publicity) Theatrical Business TN- 65 cr (Own release ) OS - 18 cr (Own release) TS - 5 cr (Outright sold) ROI - 7 cr (Outright sold ) Total- 95 cr Non theatricals OTT - 55 cr Satellite, audio and digital- 50 cr Overall- 200 cr Table profit (Expected ) - 15 cr Theatrical collections TN- 79 cr gross or 41.5 cr share (63% recovery ) Verdict for TN alone - Flop Telugu states - 3 cr gross or 1.65 cr share (33% recovery ) Verdict for Telugu states alone - Disaster ROI - 12.5 cr gross or 5.75 cr share (82 % ) Verdict for ROI - Average OS - 40 cr or 19.8 cr share (110% ) Verdict for OS - hit Overall - 134.5 cr gross or 68.7 cr share Recovery -72% Verdict - Below Average Profit/ loss TN- Producer: 36 cr , Distributors- NA Telugu states- Producer: 4.5 cr , Distributors : - 2.25 cr ROI - Producer : 7.2 cr , Distributors: -1.25 cr OS- Produxer : 18.1 cr , Distributors- NA Overall- Producers Theatraical revenue- 65.8 cr Distributors losses- 3.5 cr Producer final statement : 65.8 + 105- 185 = - 14.2 cr Conclusion- Lyca lost 14.2 cr Distributors lost 3.5 cr Movie Verdict is below average Source Balus box office