'Tirupathi' in title trouble

Chennai, April 13 (IANS) Yet another Tamil film is in trouble over its title. Producer A. Suresh of K.A.K Films has challenged the title of director Perarasu's "Tirupathi" in court on grounds that he had already acquired exclusive rights to use it.

In a petition filed in the Chennai City Civil Court, Suresh says his company registered the title "Tirupathi" for a film to be produced with the Tamil Nadu Film Producers' Association.

The petition says that after registering the title, the company had already spent Rs.450,000 on preparations for the film's production under the direction of Krithik.

The petition contends that the use of the title for the Ajith-starrer is therefore "unlawful". It has urged the court to give a stay order on the release of the film. The case is expected to come up for hearing in the court soon.

"Tirupathi", which has Ajith in the title role, was scheduled to hit screens on Tamil New Year Day, April 14. The big-banner AVM is producing it.

Apparently Perarasu chose the title in order to continue his successful practice of naming his films after places - even though in this film "Tirupathi" is the name of the hero and the Andhra Pradesh temple town does not figure anywhere.

His last two films - "Tirupachi" and "Sivakasi" - were hits.

Before this, Kamal Haasan's "Sandiyar" attracted official disapproval for its ability to incite caste tensions in southern Tamil Nadu. The title was later changed to "Veerumandi".

Some political groups had also assailed Kamal's "Mumbai Express" for having an English title. The actor-director, however, refused to call his comedy anything else.