Tamil film producer-distributor K. E. Gnanavel Raja has been facing severe backlash from the Tamil film fraternity over his statements against filmmaker Ameer Sultan. Several notable Tamil cinema names among whom include veteran filmmaker Bharathiraja, director Karu Palaniappan, and actors Sasikumar, Samuthirakani, and Ponvannan came out against Gnanavel Raja over his comments in a recent interview in regard to the unresolved financial issues of the blockbuster film, Paruthiveeran (2007), starring Karthi and Priyamani in the lead roles. With the controversy getting bigger, Gnanavel Raja on Wednesday, November 29, issued a statement of clarification in Tamil via his Studio Green production banner's X handle.
K. E. Gnanavel Raja states, "The problems around 'Paruthiveeran' have been going on for 17 years. I haven't spoken about them to date. I always say 'Ameer anna' when I address him. I have been close with his family right from the beginning. The false accusations made by him against me in recent interviews hurt me a lot. If the words I used in my response have hurt his feelings, I would like to express my regret from the bottom of my heart. I respect the Tamil cinema that gives me a livelihood and the people working in it. With love, Gnanavel Raja". Below is the statement of clarification:
.@GnanavelrajaKe sir issues a statement of clarification.#Paruthiveeran pic.twitter.com/7LVzmtU77B
— Studio Green (@StudioGreen2) November 29, 2023
The controversy began after Ameer in a recent interview stated that he wasn't invited to Karthi's Japan audio launch event held in Chennai in October. K. E. Gnanavel Raja, who has been in a legal dispute with Ameer over Paruthiveeran, alleged in his response that the filmmaker told him that he would make the film at a fixed budget as per their earlier discussion, but had to spend more. Gnanavel Raja further alleged that Ameer had assured that he would finish Paruthiveeran in six months' time stating that the production had been extended to more than two years.
