Tamil actor Arya booked over alleged Rs 1.8 cr equipment hire dues

Hyderabad, Jul 12 (PTI) A case was registered against Tamil actor Arya and others here over allegations of non-payment of dues of more than Rs 1.8 crore to a city-based firm that supplied cine production equipment for film shoot, police said on Sunday. An official of Taher Cine Tekniq, lodged a complaint with police on July 10 stating that Arya along with representatives of the studio which produced the film 'Ananthan Kaadu', approached their company for providing cine production equipment for the film and and assured that all equipment hire charges would be paid. The complainant stated that Arya, being the lead actor in the film, personally assured and guaranteed that the production house would honour all its financial commitments towards the firm. Following the assurances, the complainant entered into an Agreement of Understanding in February 2025 and supplied digital cameras, lighting equipment and allied cine production equipment from Hyderabad to Kerala. "The total agreed consideration for the equipment and services was Rs 2.12 crore. However, after availing the benefit of the valuable equipment and services, the accused deliberately failed to pay the outstanding amount of over Rs 1.8 crore," police said based on the complaint. The complainant further said the studio assured that the dues would be cleared before release of the film and that a No Dues/Clearance Certificate would be obtained from them prior to release of the film. It was further alleged despite repeated reminders for payment of the dues, it was not cleared. The complainant further alleged that their company's Manager was threatened by the actor, producer of the film and others while seeking payment of the dues and sought for registration of an FIR. Based on the complaint, a case was registered under relevant sections of BNS at Jubilee Hills police station against actor Arya and others, a police official said adding further investigation was on. PTI VVK GDK VVK ROH