Sivakarthikeyan has taken legal action against film producer K.E. Gnanavel Raja, raising a dispute over unpaid salary linked to the 2019 film Mr Local. The actor has approached the Madras High Court, saying that the producer failed to clear his full payment even several years after the film’s release.
In his petition, Sivakarthikeyan stated that he had signed an agreement to act in Mr Local for a fixed fee. While a major part of the amount was paid, he claims that a significant portion is still due. The actor also pointed out issues related to tax payments, saying that proper tax deductions were not settled, which later caused him unnecessary trouble with tax authorities.
The legal filing requests the court to step in and ensure that the pending amount is paid without further delay. Sivakarthikeyan has also asked the court to stop the producer from continuing with certain film-related activities until the issue is resolved. According to reports, the court has agreed to hear the matter and examine the details of the dispute.
The case has drawn attention in the Tamil film industry, as both Sivakarthikeyan and Gnanavel Raja are well-known names. Sivakarthikeyan is one of the most bankable actors in Tamil cinema, with a strong fan base and several successful films. Gnanavel Raja, through his production company, has backed many big-budget projects in the past, though some of them have faced financial difficulties.
Industry insiders say this legal move highlights the growing number of financial disagreements between actors and producers. In recent years, delayed payments and unsettled accounts have become a serious concern, especially after box office losses and rising production costs.
So far, neither Sivakarthikeyan nor Gnanavel Raja has released an official statement addressing the legal case in public. Fans and industry members are closely watching the situation, as the court’s decision could set an example for how similar disputes are handled in the future.
The outcome of this case may also influence how contracts are managed in upcoming film projects, with more focus on transparency and timely payments.