The release of Telugu film Akhanda 2 tomorrow (5th December) hangs in balance. With the Madras high court having injuncted its release on an appeal filed by Eros International, the release on Friday seems uncertain.
The producers have been in touch with Eros after the court order, dated December 3, allowing Eros’ appeal, but no settlement has been arrived at as yet. A division bench of the high court granted an injunction restraining the producers or their agents from releasing the film until full payment of the arbitral award of Rs. 27.80 crore to Eros was made.
The producers of Akhanda 2 had planned a premiere show in Hyderabad today (4th) but it was cancelled at the eleventh hour. However, they have instructed BookMyShow and cinemas to continue the film’s advance booking.
If the producers of Akhanda 2 release the film tomorrow without arriving at a settlement with Eros, they will be in contempt of court. That may be the reason why BookMyShow had discontinued sale of the film’s tickets for a while today (4th). However, the sale of tickets restarted after the film’s producers assured the ticketing platform that the film would be released, as per the original plan.
Only if the producers come up with a concrete plan to pay Eros the monies, as mentioned in the Madras high court order dated December 3, will Eros agree to file consent terms in court to pave the way for the film’s release this week. This may require time as a result of which Akhanda 2 might actually hit the screens on 6th December. However, tickets for 5th are also being sold at the advance booking counters.
Akhanda 2 is being released in Hindi (dubbed) as well as other South languages (dubbed) too.