The controversy over the rights of Tanu Weds Manu and who will make its sequel is still ongoing. Producer Vinod Bachchan, who has 51 per cent stakes in the original, sent a legal notice to Aanand L. Rai last week. This was in a bid to stop Rai, who had helmed the original and announced its sequel, from going ahead with the movie’s second installment. Bachchan, who is waiting for Rai to revert, said, “I would like to solve the problem amicably and want to have a discussion with Aanand. Nobody can make the sequel without my permission because, as the producer of the original, I not only have 51 per cent stake, I also have the copyright of the film, and the rights to make its sequel. I am willing to produce the film and have no issues if Aanand directs it as he’s a good director. I had to take this action as he decided to go ahead without my permission,” stated Bachchan. On learning that the film will now be produced by Eros International and Rai, we contacted Krishika Lulla of Eros, who confirmed that she is co-producing the film. “Aanand and I are coproducing the sequel. I have all the papers and Aanand has the rights to the film. My lawyers are working on it. Everything will be cleared very peacefully,” said Lulla adding that Rai has written a beautiful script and the project should take off in August. Rai added. “Vinod Bachchan must have sent the legal notice to my office but I have no knowledge about it. When I decided to make the Hindi version a year and a half back, I sent Eros the documents to look into the rights issue because I know I have the sequel rights. As of now, I only want to look into the creative aspect of the film and not get involved with anything else as Eros is taking care of that," said Rai. Tanu Weds Manu, a love story between two contrasting personalities, Kangana Ranaut and R. Madhavan, was a huge success when it released in 2011.
