Madras High Court Bans Re-release Of Kamal Hasan’s 1991 Film Guna

The high court has banned the re-release of actor Kamal Hasan’s Guna film. Santhana Bharti’s 1991 film, Guna is still popular among fans. Malayalam film Manjummel Boys acclaims Kamal Hasan’s 1991 film Guna featuring the superhit Ilaiyaraaja song Kanmani Anbodu Kadalan and images of Kamal and Roshni. It was critically acclaimed for its unique theme and performances, but also had an average run at the box office. The film also won a Tamil Nadu State Film Award, a Filmfare Award and two Cinema Express Awards. Guna was shot in Guna caves over two decades back and now, Manjummel Boys shot there, collected Rs 25 crores in Tamil Nadu. The success has made the audience demand for the re-releasing of Guna in theatres. It has been reported that Pyramid Audio Group is planning to release Guna worldwide.

Nevertheless, the Madras High Court has restrained Pyramid Audio India from re-releasing the 1991 Kamal Hassan starrer Guna and commercially exploiting it. The film has been re-released given the popularity it gained after the release of the Malayalam film, Manjummel Boys. In this recently released film, Manjummel Boys, Guna’s dialogues and songs were an integral part.

Justice P Velmurugan moved on with the order on Wednesday, on a petition signed by Ghanshyam Hemdev who claimed that currently he holds the copyright of the film. Hemdev also wanted the court to state that he was the absolute owner of the entire rights of the film and to direct Pyramid and Evergreen media to capitulate the profit earned through commercial exploitation of the film.

The court heard the case and ordered an interim ban on the re-release of Guna in theatres. The High Court has directed Pyramid and Evergreen Media to respond by July 22.