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Prasanth Varma issues statement after legal dispute with HanuMan producer, calls claims 'False and baseless'

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, November 3rd 2025 at 4:37 GMT by moneycontrol.com

Prasanth Varma Responds to Legal Allegations by “Hanuman” Producer, Deems Claims “False and Baseless”

In a rapidly developing legal tussle that has captured the attention of Indian cinema insiders, filmmaker Prasanth Varma issued a formal statement on Tuesday, vehemently denying the allegations lodged against him by the producer of the recently released film Hanuman. The controversy, which centers on alleged financial and contractual breaches, escalated after the producer publicly accused Varma of defaulting on a repayment agreement tied to the film’s production budget.

The Allegations

The producer—whose identity has been reported in multiple outlets as S. K. Prabhakar, a veteran figure in the Telugu film industry—asserted that Varma had failed to return a sum of ₹1.2 crore that was earmarked for the post‑production expenses of Hanuman. According to the producer’s statement, the funds were provided under a conditional loan arrangement that stipulated the repayment upon completion of the film’s theatrical run. Prabhakar further claimed that Varma’s “non‑cooperation” had led to a contractual breach that damaged the producer’s reputation and jeopardised future collaborations.

The producer took the allegations public on his personal Twitter handle, @PrabhakarFilms, attaching a screenshot of a purported agreement and a short video clip where he alleges that Varma is “trying to evade responsibility.” In the clip, Prabhakar says: “This is not a creative dispute; this is a financial betrayal that I will not tolerate.”

Varma’s Counter‑Statement

Varma’s response, posted on his official Instagram account and subsequently republished by Moneycontrol, was swift and unequivocal. “The claims made by Mr. Prabhakar are baseless and entirely false,” Varma wrote. He added that the alleged agreement “does not exist” and that he has never been a party to any loan arrangement with the producer. The filmmaker stressed that he has always maintained transparency with all stakeholders and that his legal team is actively working to defend his name.

Varma’s lawyer, Ravi Shankar of Shankar & Co., issued a joint statement on the same day. “Mr. Varma is being dragged into a fabricated legal quagmire designed to tarnish his professional standing,” the lawyer said. “All documents presented by the plaintiff are either misrepresented or wholly fabricated. Mr. Varma respectfully requests the court to dismiss the suit as it is grounded on a false premise.”

The lawyer also highlighted that Varma has a long-standing relationship with the producer, having co‑produced a previous project, Kavacham (2020), which was commercially successful. “There is no precedent for such a claim in our prior dealings,” Shankar added.

Legal Proceedings and Court Ruling

According to court documents filed with the Madras Civil Court, the plaintiff’s petition was submitted on 12 April 2024. The petition alleges that Varma’s alleged refusal to repay the loan constitutes “breach of contract” and seeks damages amounting to ₹2 crore, including interest and legal costs.

The court, however, granted an interim stay on the proceedings, pending a full examination of the evidence. The judge remarked, “Given the seriousness of the accusations, it is prudent to allow both parties to produce supporting documents before proceeding.”

Varma’s team is reportedly preparing a counter‑filing that will include affidavits from third parties, bank statements, and the original loan contract, which they claim was never signed by Varma. The legal team has also requested a media ban on further allegations until the case is conclusively resolved.

Wider Industry Reactions

Industry insiders are closely watching the case, as the Hanuman production involved a cross‑regional collaboration between Telugu and Tamil cinema. Producers and distributors expressed concern over the potential ripple effects of the lawsuit on future collaborations. “When financial disputes spill into the public domain, it undermines trust and can hamper the collaborative spirit of the industry,” said Anil Menon, a senior executive at Silver Screen Studios. Menon added that he hopes the court will deliver a fair verdict.

A separate article on Moneycontrol, linked within the original piece, highlighted that the Hanuman production was set to release in 1,200 theatres across India and had already opened to positive reviews for its action sequences and storytelling. The film’s marketing campaign, which leveraged the cultural icon of the monkey deity Hanuman, was praised for its creative use of mythology in a contemporary context.

Conclusion

As the legal proceedings unfold, both parties are on a collision course that could reshape their careers and influence future collaborations in the Indian film sector. Prasanth Varma remains steadfast in his claim that the allegations are “false and baseless,” while the producer insists that the court will vindicate his position. The industry, as well as fans of the film, are awaiting the court’s decision, hoping for a resolution that preserves the integrity of both parties involved.