Lakshmi V (BOMBAY TIMES; May 17, 2019)

Reports of Amitabh Bachchan opting out of Uyarntha Manithan, which would mark the actor’s Kollywood debut, have been doing the rounds for the last couple of days. While it was being speculated that Big B was not happy with the way the script and screenplay have panned out, S J Suryah, who co-stars in the T Tamilvanan directorial, has clarified that there was a problem between the Bollywood star and the producers and that shoot will proceed after that gets sorted out.

S J Suryah, in a press note, said, “There is a small issue between production company and big B Saab .... will sort it out and take it forward.... after monster release I will go to Mumbai to sort out those issues and take it forward.... Myself and dir Tamilvanan have already sorted so many issues to take it to this stage .... where we got the great tweet on the 3rd day of the shoot from big B Saab out of love and respect for our work .... ignore negativity.. (sic).”

Giving us further details, an insider tells us, “Reports of Amitabh Bachchan not liking the way the film’s shaped up aren’t true because he was actively posting photos from the set and tweeting about the film. The problem is the introduction of a new production house. As per his contract, Amitabh ji had to be informed if a new person or organisation had to be brought on board. But when the makers roped in a big Bollywood production house, he wasn’t aware, and that has caused problems. Also, while starting the film, he had allotted about 20 days to finish his portions, and had said that if the team isn’t able to complete shooting his portions by then, it will have to wait for at least two months before he can allocate dates to them again. The team has wrapped up the first schedule now, and is hoping to sort the issue out before they go on floors for the next schedule.”

The film, which also stars Ramya Krishnan, is simultaneously being made in Hindi as Tera Yaar Hoon Main.