(This article is authored by Alar)

The festive season of Pongal is usually a time for celebration and entertainment, but this year, two of the most awaited Tamil films, Ayalaan and Alambana, have been hit by a legal roadblock. The makers of these films, KJR Studios, are embroiled in a financial dispute with DSR Films, who have filed an case against them in the Madras High Court.

According to the petition filed by DSR Films, they had lent Rs 10 crore to 24 AM Studios, the original producers of Ayalaan, a sci-fi film starring Sivakarthikeyan and Rakul Preet Singh. However, KJR Studios, who took over the production of Ayalaan and also co-produced Alambana, a fantasy comedy starring Vaibhav and Parvati Nair, have only repaid Rs 3 crore and failed to settle the remaining amount.

DSR Films have sought a stay on the release of both Ayalaan and Alambana, where Ayalaan was scheduled to hit the screens on January 12, 2024, as Pongal releases. The Hon’ble High Court Madras, in an order dated 12.12.2023, has granted a temporary injunction, restraining KJR Studios from releasing, distributing, or exhibiting the films for four weeks. The court has also directed KJR Studios to file a counter affidavit and explain their position on the matter.

This is a major setback for the fans of Sivakarthikeyan who have been eagerly waiting for their films to release. Ayalaan, in particular, has been in the making for over five years, and has faced several hurdles earlier. The film, directed by R. Ravikumar, features Sivakarthikeyan as a scientist who befriends an alien, voiced by Vadivelu, AR Rahman who has composed the music for the film.

Alambana, on the other hand, is a light-hearted comedy, directed by Pari K. Vijay, that revolves around a magical mirror that grants wishes. However, with the legal issue hanging over their heads, the fate of these films' release remains uncertain.