Legal suit filed against producer Kumar Mangat regarding Hindi remake of Mohanlal starrer Drishyam 2

Viacom 18 Motion Pictures which co-produced the first part claim that the film’s rights belong to them too
Tabu and Ajay Devgn in a scene from the Hindi remake of Drishyam
Tabu and Ajay Devgn in a scene from the Hindi remake of Drishyam

Soon after the announcement that the record-breaking Malayalam movie Drishyam 2 was being remade in Hindi, another announcement about the film arrived – a tiff between the producer Kumar Mangat and the production company Viacom 18 Motion Pictures.

Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak of Panorama Studio International recently bought the Hindi remake rights of Malayalam hit Drishyam 2 – The Resumption, which starred Mohanlal. Now according to media reports, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures which co-produced the first part starring Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Ishita Dutta, has filed a legal case against producer Kumar Mangat. They claim that the film’s rights belong to them too and that they cannot be dissociated from this project.

Speaking to a media house, a source reportedly said, "Viacom 18 Motion Pictures have told Mangat that they cannot be dissociated from this project. They have also told him that he cannot make 'Drishyam 2' on his own or with someone else. The very fact that Mangat yet went ahead to set up the stage for it has irked them and hence, they've filed a legal complaint against him. The first hearing of the case in question is going to be held, very soon."

Drishyam 2: The Resumption is a sequel to the 2013 hit crime drama Drishyam, directed by Jeethu Joseph. Drishyam, which was a major blockbuster, was remade in a record number of languages, including Hindi. A Mandarin version of the film was made too. Titled Wù Shā, the Sam Quah directorial managed to earn over 168 million dollars, beating Donnie Yen’s Ip Man 4.

The first instalment traced the struggle of Georgekutty (Mohanlal) and his family, who fall under suspicion when the son of Inspector General of Police Geetha Prabhakar (Asha Sarath) mysteriously disappears.

Its 2015 Hindi adaptation, also backed by Pathak, was led by Ajay Devgn portraying Mohanlal's role and Tabu donning the role of the Inspector General of Police.

Directed by late Nishikant Kamat, the remake was a resounding hit. "With the huge success of 'Drishyam 2', the story needs to be told with passion and commitment and we as producers are committed to that," said Pathak in a statement.

Helmed by Joseph, Drishyam 2, which was released on Amazon Prime Video in February, saw Mohanal reprise the role of Georgekutty, who transitions from being a cable TV service provider to an aspiring film producer. The story is set six years after the events of the first film and the the ghost of the past still haunts the family.

“The story of Drishyam 2 resonated with people and I am so glad that Panorama Studios will make it reach a wider audience with the Hindi remake. I am looking forward to it,” said Jeethu Joseph, who has completed the direction of the Telugu remake of Drishyam 2.

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