Madras HC orders actor Vishal to pay ₹21.29 Cr with 30% interest to Lyca Productions

Chennai: The Madras High Court has ordered actor Vishal to repay a sum of ₹21.29 crore along with 30% interest to Lyca Productions, in connection with a loan default. The directive was issued by Justice P T Asha following a civil suit filed by the production house over non-repayment of the amount.

Lyca Productions had approached the court seeking the recovery of ₹21.29 crore owed by the actor. At an earlier stage of the proceedings, the court had instructed Vishal to deposit ₹15 crore as security. Vishal, who appeared before the court in person, claimed he lacked the financial means to make the payment and was therefore directed to submit an affidavit detailing his assets.

However, it later emerged that Vishal had received ₹1 crore from another production house on the same day he claimed to have no resources. The court expressed strong disapproval of the actor’s conduct, criticising him for violating court directions and failing to uphold the undertakings given during the proceedings.

According to Lyca Productions, the actor had originally secured the loan from Anbu Chezhian of Gopuram Films in 2019. As collateral, a lien had been established over the rights and interests of all future films produced by Vishal. Subsequently, Lyca stepped in and cleared the loan on Vishal’s behalf, under an agreement that he would reimburse the company.

Despite this, Vishal allegedly attempted to transfer the film rights to third parties in violation of the lien, prompting Lyca to initiate legal action.