Entertainment

Eclatant Films Demands ₹29.67 Crore from Ram Gopal Varma, Warns Industry of Contractual Dispute

By Livemint

Ram Gopal Varma has received a legal notice from Eclatant Films Private Limited demanding ₹29.67 crore in arrears under a 2010 agreement. The notice, sent on 15 October, requires Varma to clear the amount by 30 October. The sum includes the outstanding principal and ₹11.38 crore in interest. The dispute stems from a contract signed on 10 April 2010, which the Bombay High Court upheld on 17 April 2013. The agreement obliges Varma to obtain the production house’s written No‑Objection Certificate (NOC) before undertaking certain film‑related projects, covering roles as producer, director, writer or co‑producer. Eclatant Films alleges that Varma failed to meet these conditions and has now sought the full amount. The notice also extends beyond Varma, with the production house warning producers, distributors, broadcasters and OTT platforms against entering commercial arrangements involving him or his films. Eclatant Films says it may exercise a contractual lien on rights, shares, financial interests and earnings from films covered by the 2010 agreement if the dues remain unpaid. Varma has not issued a public statement. Meanwhile, he is preparing his next directorial venture, Police Company, starring Harshvardhan Rane, scheduled for theatrical release on 4 June 2027. The crime drama, backed by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and RGV and presented by Gulshan Kumar and T‑Series, features Fardeen Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Paresh Rawal, Saurabh Shukla, Makarand Deshpande and Ashwini Kalsekar. Varma is also involved in Police Station Mein Bhoot, which stars Manoj Bajpayee and marks the first collaboration between the filmmaker and the actor since Sarkar 3.