Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; July 9, 2014)

Dhanush debuted in Bollywood last year with his outstanding performance in Aanand L Rai's Raanjhanaa. We all know that Aanand and he are like family, so much so that Dhanush also rented out a place in the same building where Aanand lives and continues to look up to him as a mentor. The fact is that the reports claiming that Aanand does not have rights to make the sequel of Tanu Weds Manu are false and the film is very much on track. Aanand starts shooting the film in September in Lucknow. While the sequel has R Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut in lead roles, we have learnt that Dhanush will be doing a cameo in the film. For Aanand, having Dhanush in the film, in whatever capacity, is more a personal than a professional need, as he is deeply attached to him. While the exact details of the same are still being finalised, Dhanush could either be doing a cameo or a performance in a song or who knows, even sing and dance to a song.

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 5, 2014)

The producers of Tanu Weds Manu sequel have been slapped with a legal notice by Vinod Bachchan, who collaborated with Sanjay Singh and Shailesh R Singh on the original. Bachchan claims that director Aanand L Rai and the studio backing him, Eros International, have no right to go ahead with Part 2 since the rights officially belong to him.

Rai however shrugs off the notice, saying, "The studio has all the papers in place to take the project forward. Besides, Vinod was just one of the producers of the original film. Let him do what he wants."

Surprisingly, Shailesh is not siding Vinod either. Says Shailesh, "Vinod doesnt have any rights to the film."

The studio in question had issued a statement in 2011 stating that it was producing Tanu Weds Manu 2. When contacted, the company's official spokesperson then had confirmed that studio was on board. But this time they chose not to respond to our text.

While Vinod remained unavailable for comment, his lawyer Raja Thakur said: "I'm shocked that neither Rai nor the studio has responded to our notice so far. We will now be filing a criminal complaint on Tuesday."

Rachana Dubey (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 22, 2014)

While director Aanand L Rai hunts for a Kangana look-alike for his, Tanu Weds Manu sequel, the film has hit a roadblock.

Reportedly, Aanand has been slapped with a legal notice by Sanjay Singh, one of the three producers of Tanu Weds Manu, the other two being Vinod Bachchan and Shailesh R Singh. The supposed legal notice states that the director doesn't have the rights to make a sequel without their consent.

Aanand L Rai counters these reports, saying "Vinod, Shailesh and Sanjay only have rights over the first film. They don't have the rights to sequels and prequels. So, why can't I make a sequel to Tanu Weds Manu?" questioned Aanand, adding, "Eros International is the producer of the sequel. They have all the papers in place to take this project forward. And I've already started work on the film. As for their legal notice, I'm yet to receive one from any of them. I can only comment on it after I have seen it."

When contacted, Vinod furiously retorted, "Shailesh, Sanjay and I are the producers of the first film and are keen to make a sequel. My legal notice is being drafted right now while Sanjay has already sent a notice from his end. Aanand is trying to damage our brand. If he was so keen to make the sequel, why didn't he seek our permission or choose to work with us?" he rants, adding, "If he was so keen to work with Eros International, why didn't he start a sequel to Raanjhanaa or his first film Strangers? We have our papers in place."

Eros International had issued a press statement back in 2011 stating that they were producing Tanu Weds Manu 2. When contacted, the company's official spokesperson confirmed they are still on board as the producers of the film.

When informed about this, Vinod insisted that the sequel cannot be made without the consent of his co-producers and him.

When we last checked, Aanand hadn't received a legal notice from Sanjay or any of the other co-producers. Aanand said, "If Vinod, Shailesh and Sanjay can prove they have the rights to make the sequel and/or a prequel, I will direct it for them. In any case, their legal notice should be addressed to Eros, not me." 

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; May 21, 2014)

History seems to be repeating itself with Tanu Weds Manu. After the original, the film's sequel is also running into legal troubles.

However, unlike the 2011 movie, which was disputed among its co-producers, Tanu Weds Manu 2 has got embroiled in a legal tangle between director Aanand L Rai and the producers, after Rai announced the project.

Producer Vinod Bachchan, who had gone to court over the sale of rights of the first movie - he now holds 51% share after the settlement -is preparing to send a notice to Rai. Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh, who holds 24.5% share via his agreement with co-producer Shailesh Singh (who holds 24.5% share), sent a notice (of which Bombay Times has a copy) to Rai on Tuesday.

Says Bachchan, "Aanand is just the director. Tanu Weds Manu is my property . How can he make my film's sequel without my consent?" Sanjay adds, "Aanand is aware of my contract with Shailesh. He knows we are equal owners of the IPR of Tanu Weds Manu. Four months ago, he had tried to negotiate with me, but it was inconclusive. How can he talk about a sequel? I've sent a notice to him."

After several calls and text messages, Rai finally sent us an SMS saying he was “in a narration“. He didn't clarify his side till the time of going to press.

Seema Sinha (BOMBAY TIMES; April 9, 2014)

Come June and Kangana Ranaut will once again take off to New York. “I will continue my course in screenplay writing before I start shooting for the sequel of Tanu Weds Manu,” she says, adding about life in the Big Apple, “I like it there because I get to live like a girl next door. Over here, the baggage of stardom is too much to carry at times.”

She adds, “I can’t be living like this all my life — wake up, be in front of the mirror for hours, wear makeup and gowns, and go for shoots and parties… I want to live like a normal person; it’s my birthright. I want to wear track pants, go grocery shopping, cook. The best part is, people there don’t recognise Bollywood celebrities. In New York, I can just switch off and be a completely different person. I can have conversations with people on the street, in the subway, and just enjoy my life.”

Upala KBR (DNA; January 1, 2014)

Kangana Ranaut is known to experiment with different looks for all her films. Now in Tanu Weds Manu 2, she will not only be seen as her double but also in a completely de-glam avatar. This is the first time that Kangs will be seen in a double role.

Says a source, “Kangana loves to don various looks for her films. From playing the mutant Kaya in Krrish 3 to a sweet and simple Delhi girl in her next release Queen, we have seen her in various avatars. When Anand L Rai narrated the Tanu Weds Manu 2 script to her, she got very excited. The story takes off from where TWM ended. Now Kangana (Tanuja or Tanu) and Madhavan (Manoj or Manu) are a married couple but there is a love triangle with Kang’s in it. She will be sporting buck-teeth for this role which is completely different from her glamorous, fashionista image.”

It’s a proper double role; they are not twins or related so Kangana, the director and designer Reza Shariffi wanted a completely different look for the actress. Whether the second Kangs is a negative or positive character will be revealed as the story unfolds.

When quizzed about, it Kangana doesn’t deny that she’s playing a double role but adds simply, “I love to experiment with my looks for all my films and here too I am getting an opportunity to do the same. Though I am very excited about playing two roles in the sequel, it is too early to say anything more right now.”

Tanu Weds Manu 2 is expected to go on floor from April this year and will be shot in various parts of North India and London.