ED Freezes Properties of Director Shankar Over Copyright Dispute

ED Provisional Attachment of Director Shankar’s Assets in Copyright Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has temporarily seized assets worth around ₹10.11 crore belonging to renowned Tamil film director S. Shankar. This action follows allegations that his 2010 blockbuster film Enthiran (Robot), featuring Rajinikanth, was based on a storyline titled Jiguba, written by author Aarur Tamilnadan.

Background of the Claims

In 2011, Aarur Tamilnadan filed a formal complaint asserting that Shankar’s film Enthiran was derived from his original work, Jiguba. The complaint led to a civil lawsuit filed in the Madras High Court, accusing Shankar of intellectual property theft and violations of copyright laws.

ED’s Investigation and Findings

The ED launched an inquiry under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in response to the allegations. The investigation uncovered that Shankar had earned ₹11.5 crore for his role in the production of Enthiran, which included story development, screenplay writing, and directing the film.

Attachment of Assets

As part of the ongoing investigation, the ED has attached three immovable assets, estimated to be worth ₹10.11 crore, registered under Shankar’s name. These properties have been seized in accordance with the provisions of the PMLA, 2002.

Legal Consequences and Future Steps

This action highlights the ED’s determination to tackle allegations of copyright violations in the film industry. The properties will remain under the ED’s control while the legal process continues. Director Shankar has the opportunity to challenge this decision in a court of law.

This case serves as a significant reminder of the importance of safeguarding intellectual property in the creative sector and the potential legal ramifications of unauthorized use of original work.