Chennai, India – February 21, 2025 – Director S. Shankar has strongly criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for attaching his assets worth over ₹10 crore in connection with a plagiarism case related to his 2010 blockbuster Enthiran (Robot). Shankar, in a detailed statement, called the action a "misuse of the legal process" and emphasized that the Chennai High Court had already dismissed the allegations.
Shankar’s Response to ED’s Action
The acclaimed filmmaker, known for movies like 2.0, Sivaji, and Indian, expressed shock at the ED’s move, stating that he had received no prior communication from the agency regarding the asset attachment. He wrote:
“The ED has provisionally attached three immovable properties of mine based on baseless plagiarism allegations. This action misinterprets legal facts and represents a clear misuse of the legal process.”
Shankar pointed out that the case in question, filed by writer Aarur Tamilnadan, had already been adjudicated in the Chennai High Court under Civil Suit No. 914/2010. The court had dismissed the claims that Enthiran was plagiarized from Tamilnadan’s story Jiguba.
Legal Battle and ED’s Stance
The ED’s move is reportedly based on an independent report from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), despite the High Court ruling in Shankar’s favor. The agency cited provisions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to justify the attachment.
- The ED claims this is the first instance in India where assets have been attached under PMLA on grounds of plagiarism or copyright violations in filmmaking.
- Shankar highlighted that the complaint referred to by the ED had already been stayed by the High Court under Crl.MP.No.13914/23 in Crl.Op.No.20452/23.
Shankar’s Next Steps
In his statement, Shankar warned that if the ED does not retract its action, he will be left with no choice but to appeal against the attachment order. He added:
“Given the facts, I am deeply disheartened by the ED’s continued action despite a clear legal ruling from the Civil Court. This overreach represents a blatant abuse of the legal process.”
What Happens Next?
While Shankar prepares for legal action, the industry is closely watching how this case unfolds. The director’s response has sparked discussions on the increasing scrutiny of film copyrights and the role of law enforcement in creative disputes.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
