Tanu Weds Manu 2 lands in legal trouble

It’s a troublesome period for Raanjhanaa director Aanand L. Rai who is planning to make a sequel to his 2011 blockbuster, Tanu Weds Manu. While he has been looking for a Kangana Ranaut’s look-alike for the sequel, his film has faced legal obstacles.

One of the three producers of Tanu Weds Manu, Sanjay Singh, has sent a legal notice to Aanand which states that the director is not authorised to make a sequel without the producers’ consent. The other two producers were Vinod Bachchan and Shailesh R. Singh. Aanand defended his stand saying, "Vinod, Shailesh and Sanjay only have rights over the first film. They don't have the rights to sequels and prequels. So, why can't I make a sequel to Tanu Weds Manu?" He added further, "Eros International is the producer of the sequel. They have all the papers in place to take this project forward. And I've already started work on the film. As for their legal notice, I'm yet to receive one from any of them. I can only comment on it after I have seen it."

Vinod furiously said about the issue, "Shailesh, Sanjay and I are the producers of the first film and are keen to make a sequel. My legal notice is being drafted right now while Sanjay has already sent a notice from his end. Aanand is trying to damage our brand. If he was so keen to make the sequel, why didn't he seek our permission or choose to work with us?" He went on arguing, "If he was so keen to work with Eros International, why didn't he start a sequel to Raanjhanaa or his first film Strangers? We have our papers in place." In 2011 a press release was issued on Eros International’s part that they will produce Tanu Weds Manu 2 and when contacted recently they confirmed that they are still on the board to produce the film. But Vinod emphasised that a sequel to the film is impossible without their approval.