New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) The Supreme Court today restrained the producer of Tamil film 'Nayagan' from releasing it, if the film was not released already.

A bench headed by Justice Dalveer Bhandari issued the direction on the petition filed by Vinitha Associates Limited, which had financed the movie and had approached the Supreme Court with the prayer not to allow film producer Vijaya Kumar Reddy to release his film till the dues of the petitioner of over Rs one crore was cleared.

According to the petitioner, he had given a loan of Rs one crore to the respondent for the film but they did not repay the amount and the four cheques issued by them were dishonoured for want of sufficient funds.

The movie was to be released in Tamil Nadu today.

Counsel for the respondents, however, submitted before the court that the movie was already released in the state as the matter came up for hearing in the apex court at about 1300 hrs.

The Supreme Court directed Mr Reddy and M/s Gemini Colour Laboratory to respond to its notice issued today within two weeks.

The petitioner has come in appeal against the Madras High Court order dated July 29, 2008 dismissing their petition.

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