Lajja release stayed!

A Madras city court, on August 31, stayed the release of Hindi film Lajja all over the country and outside till September 3, as the producers had 'failed' to repay loan commitments for its production.

The interim injunction was granted by the fifth assistant judge of the city civil court A K Annamalai on a joint suit filed by Anand Cine Service, Asian Capital Consolidates and Holdings Private Ltd and Gemini Industries and Imaging Ltd, seeking to stay the release of the film.

The film starring Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Ajay Devgan, Jackie Shroff, Manisha Koirala, Rekha and Mahima Chaudhry was to be released on August 31.

Observing that it was the usual practice to settle loans due to the creditors before the release of the film, for which loans had been obtained, the Judge held that if the debtor was allowed to release the film without settling the dues, it could cause unnecessary problems for the creditors.

The plaintiffs prayed for a direction to restrain Rajkumar Santoshi, proprietor of Santoshi Productions, Rainbow Colour Laboratory and Mega Bollywood Private Ltd, their distributors and theatre owners from releasing Lajja. They also sought to restrain the producers from exploiting, transferring or assigning any rights, including dubbing, concerned with the film.

PTI