Director Vignesh Shivan, who is known for his romantic comedies like Naanum Rowdy Dhaan and Thaanaa Serndha Koottam, is gearing up for his next film titled Love Insurance Corporation (LIC). The film, which was announced recently, features Pradeep Ranganathan of Love Today fame in the lead role, along with Krithi Shetty as the female lead. However, the film has hit a roadblock as the director’s girlfriend and superstar actress Nayanthara, who was supposed to play a pivotal role in the film, has reportedly opted out of the project.
Nayanthara’s whopping fee becomes a hurdle for the makers
According to a report by Times of India, Nayanthara, who is one of the highest-paid actresses in South India, has been charging close to 10 crores per film in recent times. The makers of LIC, who are producing the film on a moderate budget, are not willing to shell out such a huge amount for a supporting role. Hence, they have decided to replace Nayanthara with another actress, who is yet to be finalized. The report also stated that Vignesh Shivan is currently looking for a suitable replacement for his ladylove.
LIC faces another controversy over its title
LIC is not only facing a casting issue, but also a legal issue over its title. The film, which is a quirky take on the concept of love and insurance, has apparently irked the real-life LIC, Life Insurance Corporation of India. The government organization, which is a prominent and trusted name in the insurance sector, has sent a legal notice to Vignesh Shivan and the film’s production company Seven Screen Studio, asking them to change the title of the film within seven days. The organization has claimed that they do not like the usage of their name for a film, and if the makers do not comply, they will take legal action against them for copyright infringement.
LIC marks the first collaboration of Vignesh Shivan and Pradeep Ranganathan
Despite the hurdles, LIC is expected to go on floors soon, as the film has an impressive star cast and crew. The film marks the first collaboration of Vignesh Shivan and Pradeep Ranganathan, who is also a director and has made films like Comali and Doctor. The film also stars SJ Suryah, Yogi Babu, Gouri G Kishan, and many others in important roles. The film is bankrolled by SS Lalit Kumar under the banner of Seven Screen Studios, in association with Vignesh Shivan under his production banner Rowdy Pictures. The film has music by Anirudh Ravichander, who is a regular collaborator of Vignesh Shivan. The film also has renowned cinematographer Ravi Varman and editor Pradeep E Ragav on board.
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LIC is a long-pending project of Vignesh Shivan, who had initially planned to make it with Sivakarthikeyan in the lead role, but later shelved it. The director is also working on another film titled Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal, which stars Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara, and Samantha Akkineni in the lead roles. The film is expected to release later this year. Vignesh Shivan was also in talks with Ajith Kumar for a film, but the project did not materialize due to creative differences.
LIC is a film that promises to be a fun-filled entertainer with a twist of romance and comedy. The film is likely to release in 2024, and the fans are eagerly waiting for more updates from the makers. Stay tuned for more news on LIC and other South Indian films.
