LAW FOR ALL

Movie titled “Vana Udham” in Tamil and “Attakasa” in Kannada.= When the matter was taken up today, we were told by Mr. Sanjay R Hegde, learned counsel for the appellant and Mr. K.K. Mani, learned counsel for the respondents that the parties have indeed arrived at an amicable settlement making it unnecessary for us to examine on merits the contentions urged by them in support of their respective cases. They further submitted that according to the settlement the respondents have agreed to pay a sum of Rs. 25,00,000/- (twenty five lakhs) to the appellant/plaintiff in full and final settlement of her claims in relation to release of the movie including waiver of any objection she had towards its exhibition in Tamil, Kannada or any other language with deletion of certain scenes from the same as directed by the High Court. Mr. K.K. Mani, learned counsel for the respondents submitted that the respondents would deposit a sum of Rs. 25,00,000/- before the Trial Court by tomorrow i.e. 15.2.2013. He urged that in the light of the above settlement, the release of the movie, which is scheduled for today, may not be injuncted by this Court and the suit directed to be disposed off by the trial court as withdrawan.= the deposit would sufficiently redress the appellant’s grievance against production and exhibition of the movie, which is a biopic of her husband, late Veerappan. He urged that the suit filed by the plaintiff/appellant, in the light of the said settlement shall be withdrawn by her, no sooner the amount is released in her favour by the Trial Court. He urged that the respondents should be directed to publish a Disclaimer in English Edition of daily “Hindu”, Madras Edition, Tamil Edition of “Dina Thanthi” and Kannada Edition of “Prajavani” within two weeks from today stating that the movie is based only on the information available in police records and other material already in public domain. Mr. Mani assured us that his clients would do the needful within two weeks from today.- In the circumstances, therefore, we dispose of these appeals with the direction that the respondents shall deposit the agreed sum of Rs. 25,00,000/- by tomorrow [15.2.2013] before the trial court, which shall be released to the appellant upon an application filed by the plaintiff/appellant for withdrawal of the suit. The parties are left to bear their own costs in this appeal and in the courts below.