Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 9, 2014)

Viacom18 Motion Pictures have sued B R Films for Rs 20 crore for failing to deliver on a past agreement. The case has been filed in Bombay High Court on Monday, April 7, 2014.

 According to a source, B R Films was supposed to make two films for Viacom18, which never went into production. Viacom 18 had allegedly paid Rs 10 crore to B R Films in 2007 for this precise objective. The two parties had drafted a mutual agreement that Viacom 18 would be entitled to a certain stake in B R films in the future, in lieu of this agreement.

 B R Films’ latest, Bhootnath Returns starring Amitabh Bachchan and Boman Irani hits theatres on April 10. Recently, when Viacom18 reminded B R Films about their agreement, Ravi Chopra’s company refused to honour it.

 This sent Viacom into a tizzy. A source close to the film, Bhootnath Returns revealed, “Viacom18 tried to sort out the matter amicably. But B R Films was in no mood to listen. Left with no other option, Viacom18 took the legal route. They are seeking double the amount that they were initially entitled to, including interest.”

 The legal firm, Naik Naik & Co, who represents Viacom18, Ravi Chopra’s son, Abhay Chopra and Viacom18 remained unavailable for comment.