Vishal 21 crore legal battle with Lyca Productions

Actor Vishal has become entangled in a high‑profile dispute with Lyca Productions over an alleged unpaid sum exceeding ₹21 crore. The Madras High Court recently rejected his petition to withdraw from a 2019 settlement that gave Lyca temporary rights to all of Vishal’s films until the debt is settled, and the court upheld Lyca’s request to enforce that clause. The controversy stems from a loan of ₹21.29 crore that Vishal Film Factory reportedly borrowed from Anbuchezhiyan of Gopuram Films, a debt Lyca later assumed and formalised in a written agreement. Vishal, however, maintains he never received any such loan from either Gopuram Films or Lyca, arguing that his only involvement with Gopuram was acting in Marudhu for a fee, not borrowing money.

In his defence, Vishal claimed the 2019 agreement was “one‑sided” and signed without a thorough review because he trusted the production house, adding that his total financial dealings with Gopuram were only about ₹12 crore. The High Court, however, noted that Vishal appears to be reneging on his contractual obligations, stressing that the actor’s conduct throughout the suit has been evasive and inconsistent. The judge also pointed out that the force majeure argument based on the pandemic was untenable, as Vishal continued to produce and act in other films during that period.

The legal pressure has not halted Vishal’s work; he is currently starring in and directing the upcoming film Magudam / Makutam while also overseeing projects under his Vishal Film Factory banner. The court’s recent order reinforces Lyca’s hold over Vishal’s film rights until the outstanding amount, plus 30 % interest, is repaid. With the case now transferred to a new bench, the outcome will determine the financial and contractual ramifications for both the actor and the production company.

The dispute underscores the importance of clear, well‑documented agreements in the film industry, especially when large sums and intellectual property rights are involved. As the litigation proceeds, both parties are expected to present further evidence and arguments before the Madras High Court.