The Tamil film 'Leo' faces controversy as the Tamil Nadu Dubbing Union questions the director's decision to employ a banned artist for dubbing purposes, raising concerns about the involvement of the artist in the film's dubbing process.
Controversy Surrounding Tamil Film 'Leo' Over Dubbing Artist's Involvement
( Credit to: Timesofindia )
The Tamil film industry witnessed immense success with the release of 'Leo' in October 2023. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the action drama starring Vijay, Trisha, Sanjay Dutt, and others grossed over Rs 600 crore at the box office. However, the film is now embroiled in controversy as the Tamil Nadu Dubbing Union questions the director's decision to employ a banned artist for dubbing purposes.
'Leo' garnered attention even before its release due to its portrayal of violence, leading the CBFC censor board to request 13 minor changes. Despite this hurdle, the film went on to become a blockbuster. Fast forward five months, and the Tamil Nadu Dubbing Union has raised concerns about the involvement of a banned artist in the film's dubbing process.
Dubbing Controversy in 'Leo'
Trisha, the female lead in 'Leo,' had her voice dubbed in Tamil and Telugu by Chinmayi Sri Prasad. The Vice President of the Tamil Nadu Dubbing Union, Mr. Rajendran, demanded strict action against Chinmayi for dubbing the film in Tamil despite being banned from doing so. Chinmayi had previously refused to pay the subscription fee, leading to her exclusion from the South Indian cinema dubbing union.
Rajendran stated that the Television Artists and Dubbing Artists Union prohibits Chinmayi from dubbing for the movie as she is not a member. News reports suggest that the Tamil Nadu Dubbing Union condemned Lokesh Kanagaraj for encouraging a banned artist to dub for his film. Rajendran further claimed that Chinmayi agreed to dub for the film only with the director's encouragement.
Legal Battle and Resolution
Prior to the film's release in 2023, director Lokesh Kanagaraj had to pay a fine of Rs 50,000 to the dubbing union for employing a banned artist. However, Chinmayi, who asserts her lifetime membership in the dubbing union, refused to pay the fee. In a court ruling, the union was asked to temporarily lift the ban on the playback singer.
The controversy surrounding the Tamil film 'Leo' continues to escalate as the Tamil Nadu Dubbing Union questions the director's decision to involve a banned artist in the dubbing process. With both sides firmly defending their stance, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved. As the legal battle unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the complexities and conflicts that can arise within the entertainment industry.