HC dismisses producer’s suit against Udhayanidhi Stalin

The Madras High Court on Wednesday dismissed a Rs 25-crore civil suit filed by film producer Ramasaravanan of OST Films against Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The court ruled that the claim, based on an oral agreement, was time-barred under the Limitation Act.

Ramasaravanan had alleged that Stalin failed to cooperate in completing the film Angel, which began production in 2018, and sought damages for the financial losses incurred. The producer also attempted to halt the release of Udhayanidhi Stalin’s final acting project, Maamannan, as part of his legal plea.

According to Ramasaravanan, an oral agreement was made in 2018 with Stalin to play the lead role in Angel. He claimed that 80% of the shooting was completed before Stalin announced his retirement from acting and prioritized completing Maamannan as his final film. The producer alleged that Stalin’s lack of cooperation caused a financial loss of Rs 13 crore.

He moved the court in 2023, demanding Rs 25 crore in damages and an injunction against the release of Maamannan. However, the court permitted the release of Maamannan while the suit was pending, rendering that part of the suit infructuous.

Senior counsel N.R. Elango, representing Stalin, argued that the suit was barred by the Limitation Act. Under Order 7, Rule 11(d) of the Civil Procedure Code, the claim lacked a valid cause of action as it was not filed within the stipulated three-year period.

“The cause of action occurred on July 16, 2018. Under the Limitation Act, the producer should have initiated the suit by July 15, 2021. Filing it in 2023, well beyond the limitation period, makes the claim invalid,” Elango submitted.

Justice RMT Teekaa Raman upheld Stalin’s application to dismiss the suit. The court observed that while the producer has the right to claim relief, the delay in initiating legal proceedings rendered the claim untenable.

“The period of limitation for a suit seeking damages is three years. Since the producer initiated the suit after the stipulated period, it is deemed time-barred and cannot be entertained,” the judgment read.