Madras High Court Orders Gautham Vasudev Menon to Return Rs 4.25 Crores The Madras High Court has directed director Gautham Vasudev Menon to repay Rs 4.25 crores to producer Elred Kumar, overturning a 2022 single judge’s order that mandated the same. The court’s decision came after reviewing an appeal filed by Menon, who contested the earlier ruling. The case revolves around a film project titled Production No 6, which was intended to star Silambarasan TR but was never made. Menon had received the advance payment from Kumar, owner of RS Infotainment, in 2008 to produce the film. However, the project was abandoned, leading Kumar to file a case against Menon in the Madras High Court. In 2022, a single judge ruled that Menon must return the full amount, citing the failure to complete the film. Menon subsequently appealed the decision, arguing the initial order was unjust. On March 23, 2026, a bench comprising Justices P Velmurugan and K Govindarajan Thilakavathi reviewed the case. The court upheld the appeal, nullifying the single judge’s order and reinstating the requirement for Menon to return the Rs 4.25 crores to Kumar. The ruling emphasizes the legal principle that financial obligations tied to unfulfilled contractual commitments must be honored, even if the project was not completed. The case highlights the complexities of contractual disputes in the film industry, where advances for unmade projects often lead to legal battles. Kumar’s claim underscores the risks producers face when investing in projects that fail to materialize, while Menon’s appeal reflects the director’s defense of his position. The court’s decision reaffirms the importance of accountability in such agreements, setting a precedent for similar cases.#madras_high_court #gautham_vasudev_menon #elred_kumar #rs_infotainment #production_no_6
