The film Ramayana was scheduled to release in 2021, but problems have plagued it ever since. This is what transpired following Madhu Mantena’s removal!
It was sometime in 2019 or 2020 that the public learned that Madhu Mantena was producing a Ramayana-based movie. One of the most significant stories in India was eventually brought to light by Allu Aravind and Namit Malhotra of Prime Focus. When Ranbir Kapoor was cast as Lord Ram, the film became a cinematic feast.
Though the picture had been in development since 2021, it was not able to begin production until 2024, and even then, it was dogged by legal issues from the outset. Recently, the film’s production got underway, and images of Ranbir and Sai Pallavi in the roles of Devi Sita and Lord Ram appeared online.
Now, Madhu Mantena, one of the film’s former producers, has threatened legal action regarding the movie’s intellectual property rights and the use of the research materials because he claims he was never paid what was agreed upon!
The public is now being informed and made aware that Prime Focus Technologies Limited, per an Assignment Agreement entered into with our client Allu Mantena Media Ventures LLP in April 2024, sought to acquire our client’s intellectual property rights in the Project Ramayana (the script and material ‘Ramayana’ based on the epic) for a sum agreed upon following the terms of the Assignment Agreement, Madhu Mantena has now released a notice to the public. However, because Prime Focus Technologies Limited has not yet paid our client the amount necessary for the assignment to take effect, the assignment under this Assignment Agreement has not yet come into force.
“Therefore, our client retains all rights to Project Ramayana, and Prime Focus Technologies Limited has no right, title, or interest in it,” the note continued. The use or exploitation of our client’s script, material, or other rights in Project Ramayana by Prime Focus Technologies Limited in its upcoming film “Ramayana,” which is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, or by anyone claiming through or under Prime Focus Technologies Limited, or by anyone else facilitating the same, constitutes a copyright infringement, for which our client will take any necessary precautions as may be advised.
Simply put, what does it mean?
Essentially, this notification indicates that even though Madhu Mantena left the film, which was titled Project Ramayana and starred Sai Pallavi and Ranbir Kapoor, he has still not received his project share. He did leave, but not before Prime Focus, the other producer, offered him a certain amount. Accordingly, Madhu Mantena should have exclusive rights to all of the content, including the actor’s appearances and any tales or stories that could be used. Mantena may have to face legal action from Namit Malhotra, the new producer if he utilizes the content.
Will Yash, the other producer, step in?
It was recently announced that Namit Malhotra and Kannada celebrity Yash, who had previously portrayed Ravana in the movie, had teamed up to produce it since they both shared the same idea for it. It remains to be seen if Yash intervenes to save the Ramayana crew from this legal maze.
Will the Ramayana Float or Dredge?
It remains to be seen if Ramayana gets through this legal maze and emerges unscathed or if it gets stuck once more. Remarkably, Deepika Padukone was reportedly considered the first contender for Sita’s role when the movie was first conceived. Madhu Mantena was rumored to have struggled to assemble a cast for the movie over time. Following the scandal involving Adipurush, the producer supposedly claimed that the actors were nervous about performing the Ramayana!
Arun Govil as Dashrath, Sunny Deol as Bajrang Bali Hanuman, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Arun Kapoor as Lord Ram, and Sai Pallavi as Devi Sita are the main cast members of Nitesh Tiwari’s current adaptation of the Ramayana.
