Dhanush In Trouble, Tamil Film Producers Council Asks Makers to Discuss His Casting With Them; Here's Why

Tamil superstar Dhanush has courted trouble from Tamil Film Producers Council. On Monday, the council met to discuss the ongoing issues in the Tamil film industry, specifically clearing the backlogs of films which have been stuck in various stages of filmmaking. They also intend to check the rising production cost due to artist fees and other expenses. During this discussion, Dhanush’s name popped up.

After Sri Thenandal Films accused Dhanush of taking an advance from them for one of their films and never turning up for the shoot last year, the council called out Dhanush at the meeting. Hindustan Times reported the council has instructed filmmakers to discuss Dhanush’s casting with them before approaching him.

“In the situation where Dhanush has received advance payments from several producers, the producers are requested to consult the Tamil Film Producers Association before starting work on new films starring actor Dhanush,” the council said.

IndiaGlitz reported the council has ‘issued a red card’ to the actor. The report also stated that Tamil actor Vishal has also been given a red card. He has been pulled up for allegedly ‘misusing the council’s funds during his tenure as TFPC president.’

The council also discussed the ongoing problem of actors and technicians ‘abandoning’ ongoing projects after they receive advance payments. This has led to significant losses for the producers. “Any actor or technician who has received an advance will now have to complete the project before moving on to a new one,” the council has decided, as reported by HT.

The meeting — which was attended by TFPC, Tamil Film Producers Association Executives, Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association Executives, Tamil Nadu Theatre Multiple Association Executives and Tamil Nadu Film Distributors Association Executives — concluded with the decision to halt new projects starting August 16 in order to open the window of release for films that have been in the pipeline for a while now.

They have also decided to stop film shoots and post-production work in Tamil cinema from November 1 onwards to ‘restructure and regulate expenditures’ of actors’ salaries and other production expenses. The council aims at improving and maintaing Tamil industry’s financial health.

The council has also decided that big budget films featuring A-listers will release on OTT only after the film has spent eight weeks in the cinemas. This is to ensure that theatres get enough business and longer theatrical run of the films.