Why Kerala Martial Artist Filed A Case Against The Release Of Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2

Kamal Haasan-starrer Indian 2 is gearing up for a grand release on July 12. But the film is facing a legal challenge, as a case has been filed to prevent its release. The Madurai District Court has pushed the case’s hearing to July 11 as the makers of the film asked for time to respond to the case.

A man named Aasan Rajendran, the head teacher of Varma Kalai, a martial art from Kerala, has filed a lawsuit. He said that Haasan consulted him for Varma Kalai techniques during the making of the first part, Indian (1996) and his contributions were duly credited back then. He further alleged that these techniques were used in the film Indian 2 without seeking his permission. Now, he is asking for a ban on the film in both theatres and OTT platforms.

While hearing the case on July 9, the Madurai District Court pushed the hearing to July 11 and granted the film’s production team more time to respond to Rajendran’s petition.

The director of Indian 2, S Shankar, told India Today that the makers sought expert advice this time for the film, so they consulted Prakasm Gurukkal for the Varma Kalai. “This time, we needed expert advice, and we brought Prakasam Gurukkal from Kerala and took his guidance. You can see a different Varmam style in the film,” he added.

Shankar also directed the original Indian film, which was released in the year 1996, and starred Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar, Sukanya, and Nedumudi Venu, among others.

In the sequel film, Kamal Haasan reprising his role as Senapathy, a freedom fighter turned vigilante, who fights against corruption. The film stars Siddharth, SJ Suryah, Rakul Preet Singh, Bobby Simha, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Gulshan Grover, Samuthirakani and Nedumudi Venu among others.

The trailer of the film was released on June 25 and also a special screening was organised in Chennai. The film has been co-produced by Lyca Productions and Red Giant Movies. The music is composed by Anirudh Ravichadner while the dialogues by B. Jeyamohan Kabilan Vairamuthu and Lakshmi Saravana Kumar.