‘Couldn’t afford Rs 112 crore’: Why Vignesh Shivan dropped LIC title

Director Vignesh Shivan’s latest film Love Insurance Kompany became a talking point even before its release due to an unexpected title controversy.

The film, which stars Pradeep Ranganathan, Krithi Shetty, and S. J. Suryah, was initially planned to be released under the title Love Insurance Company, abbreviated as ‘LIC’.

However, the abbreviation created a direct overlap with Life Insurance Corporation of India, one of the country’s most recognised public sector insurance organisations. Given the strong brand identity and legal protection associated with the LIC name, the similarity raised immediate concerns over trademark and brand usage.

Legal concerns and Rs 112 crore demand

According to Vignesh Shivan, the issue escalated when the insurance body objected to the use of the ‘LIC’ title. In a public interaction, he revealed that the organisation demanded a sum of Rs 112 crore if the filmmakers wished to retain the original title. He said: “We initially named the film ‘LIC’, which meant Love Insurance Company. But the LIC organisation asked for Rs 112 crore if we wanted to use the title. I don’t have Rs 112 crore, so that was not possible.”

The demand effectively made it impossible for the production team to proceed with ‘LIC’ as the film’s title. Shivan clarified that the team had no option but to drop the name, as meeting such a financial requirement was not viable.

This situation reflects how intellectual property rights and brand protection laws in India can directly impact film titles, especially when they resemble well-established institutional names.

Preparation and backup title strategy

Anticipating potential complications, Vignesh Shivan had already prepared multiple alternative titles. He revealed that options like LIP, LIT, LIK, and LIF were kept ready as backups during the early stages of production.

This pre-planning allowed the team to respond quickly once the legal issue arose. Instead of delaying the project further, the filmmakers were able to finalise a new title without affecting the release timeline significantly. “I had backup titles like LIP, LIT, LIK and LIF. Finally, we chose LIK. The way we used the word ‘Kompany’ was liked by many people after watching the film.”Vignesh said.

Creative shift to ‘Love Insurance Kompany’

The final title, Love Insurance Kompany (LIK), was chosen as a safe and creative alternative. The deliberate change in spelling—from “Company” to “Kompany”—helped differentiate the film from the LIC brand while retaining the original thematic idea.

Vignesh Shivan explained that the stylised spelling was not just a legal workaround but also a creative decision. Elements like the use of “K” and references such as “Kombu” were designed to reflect the film’s tone, adding a layer of identity and visual uniqueness to the project.

This shift highlights how filmmakers often adapt creatively when faced with legal or commercial constraints.

Production delays and release timeline

Apart from the title issue, the film also faced several delays before its theatrical release. These delays added to the anticipation around the project, with audiences becoming increasingly curious about both the film’s content and its unusual title journey.

The film was eventually released in theatres on April 10, marking the end of a prolonged production and promotional phase.

Box office performance and reception

Following its release, Love Insurance Kompany received mixed responses from critics and audiences. While some viewers appreciated its concept and performances, others offered a more critical assessment.

Despite the divided reviews, the film has performed reasonably well at the box office, collecting around Rs 39 crore worldwide within its first four days, according to trade estimates.

The controversy surrounding the title and the revelation of the Rs 112 crore demand have contributed to sustained public interest, keeping the film in ongoing discussions.

Wider significance of the controversy

The episode underscores the importance of title clearance and trademark checks in the film industry. In India, film titles that resemble established brands, institutions, or organisations can lead to legal challenges, financial demands, or forced changes.

In this case, the quick transition from ‘LIC’ to ‘LIK’ allowed the filmmakers to avoid prolonged disputes and proceed with release. At the same time, the incident has highlighted how branding, legality, and creativity often intersect in modern cinema.

Overall, the journey of Love Insurance Kompany from ‘LIC’ to ‘LIK’ serves as a notable example of how external factors can shape key creative decisions in filmmaking.