In what has come as a major shock for Tamil cinema fans, popular film producer Swargachitra Appachan who garnered a reputable name in the Malayalam film industry, has been given a three months jail sentence. The sentencing against Appachan came after actor Vijay's father S. A. Chandrasekhar had filed a case stating he had lent Rs 1 crore, which was not repaid. SAC then approached the court regarding his grievance and the case had gone on for a number of years.

The news of this latest legal sentencing against producer Swargachitra Appachan has come as a major shock for both Malayalam and Tamil cinema fans. Swargachitra Appachan, who is known for producing several notable Malayalam ventures such as Ramji Rao Speaking, Godfather, Vietnam Colony, Manichitrathazhu and Aniyathipravu, had also funded Tamil films as well. He produced two Tamil films which included the blockbuster 2001 comedy-drama Friends starring 'Thalapathy' Vijay and Suriya in the lead roles. Appachan's next big Tamil venture was Azhagiya Tamil Magan in 2007 once again with Vijay, who essayed dual roles alongside Shriya Saran and Namitha under Bharathan's direction and featuring chart-buster music by Academy Award-winning composer A. R. Rahman.

The conflict between Swargachitra Appachan and S. A. Chandrasekhar first arose when the latter lent Rs 1 crore as a loan to the former for the release of Azhagiya Tamil Magan. SAC was apparently given an assurance that the money would be repaid within the next 15 days. However, the cheque that Appachan had given to S. A. Chandrasekhar, had bounced twice and consequently the latter had then proceeded to file a case at the Saidapet Court in 2008. Following this, Justice Velraj in his judgment sentenced Appachan to three months imprisonment and also asked him to pay Rs 1 crore to SAC.

In the meantime, Vijay is awaiting the release of his Master, which was initially slated to come out in theatres earlier this year on April 9, but had since been postponed indefinitely in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Produced by Xavier Britto under the XB Film Creators banner, Master being distributed by Lalit Kumar's Seven Screen Studios recently said that the film will not be hitting screens for Diwali later this month. There is a strong talk that this Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial and also starring ‘Makkal Selvan’ Vijay Sethupathi as the antagonist will hit theatres only in early 2021 and after the COVID-19 situation takes a better turn.