The Hindu (Tamil Nadu) ·
Crime, law and justice
Investor finalised to get Dhruva Natchathiram released before Oct. 31: Gautham Vasudev Menon tells Madras High Court
Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy extends the time limit for releasing the movie after directing Mr. Menon to submit records to prove payment of ₹10.57 crore to actor Vikram
Film director, producer, and actor Gautham Vasudev Menon has informed the Madras High Court of having identified an investor to get the much-awaited ‘Chiyan’ Vikram-starrer Dhruva Natchathiram released before October 31, 2026, in as many screens as possible.
Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy has recorded the submission made by the film production firm Kondaduvom Entertainment, represented by its director Mr. Menon, in its application seeking an extension of time, and granted it time until October 31 to release the movie.
In April 2026, the judge had cleared the decks for the release of the movie, which was mired in a financial dispute, and had granted time until June 15, 2026, for Mr. Menon to get the movie released after identifying an investor, so that the dues to all creditors could be settled.
Since then, Mr. Menon had been approaching the court periodically, seeking extensions of time. In his latest application, he listed out several other big budget movies and said that the release of Dhruva Natchathiram had to be deferred in order to secure sufficient number of theatres, distributors, and exhibitors.
He also told the court that his production firm had finalised an investor to facilitate the release of the movie subject to clearance by court-appointed observers/overseers. On their part, the observers/overseers M.V. Swaroop and H.V. Hredai also filed a report in the court seeking certain clarifications.
Mr. Hredai wanted to know from the court whether the overseers could allow a debit of ₹10.57 crore supposedly paid to Mr. Vikram. The judge, after perusing the records, found that a confirmation with respect to the amount reportedly paid to the actor was not available before the court.
Hence, he directed Mr. Menon to submit before the observers/overseers the documents to prove the payment of ₹10.57 crore, besides disclosing the mode of such payment. After verifying those documents, the observers/overseers should take an appropriate decision, the judge ordered.
“After considering the reasons cited for seeking extension of time and being satisfied that sufficient cause is shown, the time limit for release of the movie is extended up to October 31, 2026. This application is disposed of subject to the observations made herein with regard to the payments to the actor,” Justice Ramamoorthy added.
Published - September 17, 2026 11:55 am IST