Eddelu Manjunatha 2 release update: Amid tussle with Guruprasad’s widow, producer declares final stance

Eddelu Manjunatha 2, the late filmmaker Guruprasad’s last directorial that he was working on when he decided to end his life, allegedly owing to mounting financial troubles, was to be released in theatres on February 21. The film, which was made with funds secured from multiple sources, is credited to Mysore Ramesh as the main producer, given that he’s footed close to 80% of the budget. An ongoing tussle with Guruprasad’s widow Sumithra, over claims that she’s owed outstanding dues in terms of his remuneration as writer, actor and director, led to her filing an injunction against the release of the film.

When the film release was stalled, Ramesh and fellow investors decided that even if the stay was to be revoked, they would not bring it to theatres now. It would be released for Guruprasad’s 100th birth anniversary, they stated. Guruprasad died aged 52, meaning that they would not release it for close to half a century. A week after this development, Ramesh remains steadfast and says there is no change to his stance on the matter.

Also read: Eddelu Manjunatha 2 release: Producer claims director-actor Guruprasad deleted film before his death 

Eddelu Manjunatha 2 for Guruprasad's 100th birth anniversary or...

Up to him, he will release Eddelu Manjunatha only for the 100th birth anniversary of Guruprasad, but if there is someone out there, who would like to buy him and all the other investors out and release it, he has no objection to that. Speaking to Yashas Talkies, Ramesh said that he is willing to face loss of his entire investment on Eddelu Manjunatha 2, but is not ready to be ‘cheated’. There is no question of a compromise with Sumithra, he declares. “If there is someone in Karnataka willing to pay Sumithra Rs 1.5 crore (Rs 1 crore for his direction and Rs 50 lakh for acting) and pay all the investors, he/she can then release the film. Let’s see how many people will queue up for that,” he says.

Also read: Eddelu Manjunatha 2 team: ‘Fans of Guruprasad’s brand of comedy will like the film, but…’ 

Sumithra Guruprasad vs Mysore Ramesh: the backdrop

The issue between the producer and Sumithra cropped up after he had publicly declared that 51% of the film’s profits would be shared with the latter. His contention was that at the time of Guruprasad’s demise, the film was still in post-production and required a further 35-40 lakh for completion, which, he agreed to foot during a meeting at the Karnataka State Film Chamber of Commerce. When the film releases, he would recover his latest investment (which is over and above his initial 40 lakh payment to Guruprasad), and then distribute shares among the other stakeholders.

Sumithra allegedly agreed to these terms, but is then said to have begun making demands for payments, claiming pending dues for her late husband’s contributions as a writer, actor and director. Following Ramesh’s refusal to comply, she then got a court order to stay the release of the film.