Sudha Kongara takes Dawn Pictures to court over Rs 8.39 cr unpaid salary for Sivakarthikeyan-starrer 'Parasakthi'

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed Dawn Pictures to file its response to director Sudha Kongara's plea seeking payment of Rs 8.39 crore in unpaid remuneration, following their collaboration on the Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Parasakthi.

Director Sudha had moved the court seeking payment of the remaining Rs 8.39 crore, along with 12 per cent interest from February 8, 2026. She has sought the amount as security pending the passing of an arbitral award.

Released in January, Parasakthi is a Tamil political drama starring Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa, and Sreeleela, directed by Sudha Kongara and produced by Dawn Pictures.

Sudha also sought an interim order restraining Dawn Pictures from releasing Parasakthi on any OTT, satellite, digital, streaming, cable or other media platforms until the disposal of the main petition.

The director also sought directions to preserve all records relating to the revenue generated by the film from all sources and to place before the court the revenue statements, along with all executed, pending or proposed OTT, satellite and digital agreements entered into or being negotiated by Dawn Pictures in connection with the film.

When the matter came up for hearing, Sudha's counsel submitted that she was entitled to Rs 17.60 crore (including GST) under the agreement, of which only Rs 9.31 crore had been paid, leaving Rs 8.39 crore outstanding.

Her counsel argued that despite Parasakthi reportedly grossing over Rs 100 crore, the producers had failed to clear outstanding dues citing financial difficulties. Further, Dawn Pictures is also gearing up for the release of Idhayam Murali. She therefore sought to restrain the release of the film until the pending payment is cleared.

Justice K Kumaresh Babu directed Dawn Pictures to file its response to director Sudha Kongara's plea and adjourned the matter to July 8