High Court stays Goa release

Following a civil suit filed by NAPC Properties managing director Varun Manian, alleging that the Chennai-based production company Ocher Studios, owned by super star Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth, had failed to repay a loan�given to produce her ongoing Tamil film Goa (being directed by Venkat Prabhu),�Madras High Court Justice G. Rajasuria has passed an interim order not to release the film till December 11. The court has also directed to stop all activities of the film.

In his petition, Varun Manian said that Soundarya had approached his construction company, seeking funds to produce the film, promising returns at the rate of 24 per cent per annum along with the principal. The company paid a total of Rs. 1.10 crore on different dates in 2007 and 2008, which was acknowledged by the defendant by means of promissory notes.

However,�Ocher Studios did not pay the returns as promised. After repeated requests, Rs. 20 lakh was paid on June 10, 2009. The producer had not made any payment thereafter.

After receiving the sum, Soundarya was not accessible; she was stated to be busy in Goa and travelling to shoot the movie. Sometimes it was made known to him that she was abroad shooting, Varun Manian alleged. The company prayed the court to direct the producer to pay Rs. 1,36,37,589, failing which a decree should be passed for that sum with interest at 24 per cent.