Lawfare, Defamation – Others

Ever since Rajinikanth’s Kaala went on floors, it has been facing several legal hassles. Earlier, director Pa Ranjith was accused of taking inspiration from Indian gangster and smuggler Haji Mastan’s life. Later, the case was dismissed by the Madras High Court. Now, days before the release of Kaala, Jawahar Nadar, son of ‘godfather’ od Dharavi, Thiraviam Nadar, has slapped a Rs 101-crore defamation suit against Rajinikanth.

Jawahar’s father, who fought for the justice of the underprivileged Tamilians in Dharavi, was also known as ‘Gudwala Seth’ and ‘Kaala Seth’. Jawahar claimed that Pa Ranjith’s character Karikaalan has been inspired by his father and the film could malign the image of his father and the entire Nadar community.

He has sought Rs 101 crore as damages. In an interview with The News Minute, he said, “It is not about the money. It is about what is right. If the movie portrays my father positively, then we must get credit for it. If the movie defames my father then they should apologise for it and pay for it.”