Karthi's upcoming film Vaa Vaathiyaar is facing a new challenge, with the Madras High Court directing a public auction of the movie's rights to recover ₹21 crore in alleged unpaid dues owed by the film's producer to the financier. The film, originally scheduled for release on December 12, 2025, has already faced several delays and hurdles.
The court's decision comes after the Official Assignee of the High Court filed an execution petition, requesting that K.E. Gnanavel Raja of the production house settle dues amounting to ₹21.78 crore. The release date now depends on the outcome of the auction and the settlement of the dues.
The film's producer had entered into an agreement with businessman Sunderdas for financial cooperation, but Sunderdas was declared insolvent in 2014, and the Official Assignee was appointed to realize his debts. The court has taken a tough stance, refusing to relax the conditions imposed earlier, and has directed the Official Assignee to proceed with auctioning the film's rights.
Vaa Vaathiyaar is an action-comedy film directed by Nalan Kumarasamy, starring Karthi and Krithi Shetty, along with Rajkiran, Sathyaraj, Anandaraj, Karunakaran, and GM Sundar. The film's release is currently uncertain, with the court maintaining that it cannot be released in any form until the outstanding dues are fully cleared. The postponement of Vijay's Jana Nayagan has opened up a festive release window, and filmmakers are recalibrating their film's release.