Actor Simbu’s upcoming film Osthi which was to hit the screens next Thursday (8th December) might just get delayed, it is reported. The film has Richa Gangopadhyay (of Mayakkam Enna fame) opposite Simbu and is directed by Dharani. A remake of the Bollywood hit film Dabbangg, the film is expected eagerly by the actor’s fans as he has donned the khaki uniform in the film for the first time in his career.

The satellite broadcasting rights of the film are said to have been sold to Sun Network at an unspecified price. There has been a running duel between theatre owners in the State and the Sun Pictures (part of the burgeoning Sun Network controlled by Maran brothers) as the exhibitors had announced that until Sun Pictures returned their ‘deposit amount’, they won’t be screening any films even remote connected with it.

In a strongly-worded letter, the producers have clearly sent an ultimatum to channel regarding the issue. “We request you to provide us a No Objection Certificate from the Tamil Nadu Film Exhibitors Association to the screen the said film within 48 hours of receipt of this letter failing which we shall be constrained to terminate the said agreement,” it stated.

As such, a ‘red card’ has been issued against Osthi. When the distributors, who had purchased the film from the producers, approached the theatre-owners to screen the film, the theatre-owners cited the above-said reason and politely refused to screen the film in their halls on the said date.

As the theatre owners’ association is firm in making Sun Pictures cough up the amount due to it, t is strongly rumoured in Kollywood that unless Sun Pictures pays up the dues amounting to Rs.2.4 crores, Osthi may not see the light of the day in the near future!