Chiyaan Vikram’s long delayed film Dhruva NatchathiramDirected by Gautham Vasudev Menon, it is inching closer to release after the Madras High Court facilitated its release on or before June 15. Justice Senthilkumar Ramamurthy had passed the order against the backdrop of the film’s prolonged financial and legal issues.

The court’s direction follows the stand taken by investors Punniyamurthy and K Premkumar, who had said that they were ready to allow the release of the film if the revenue generated from it was sent through the escrow mechanism. The court has now ordered a dedicated bank account to be opened in the name of Kondaduvom Entertainment and directed that a lawyer be appointed as a supervisor to monitor all financial transactions including income and expenditure.

The judge also made it clear that no payment should be made to any partner of Kondaduwom Entertainment, be it salary or profit share, without the permission of the court. Gautham Menon still needs to secure funds from investors to clear the pending dues before the film’s release. He is also expected to hold talks with theater owners and other stakeholders before finalizing the release date.

The court further said that if despite all efforts the film is not released before June 15, then the parties concerned can approach them again to seek more time. An official confirmation on the release of Dhruva Natchathiram Not released yet by the manufacturers.

The film went on floors in 2017, but faced several hurdles, including financial and legal troubles as well as disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After being delayed for years, the shooting of the film was completed in 2023. In September 2023, the makers announced that it would release on November 24, 2023, but the plan was put on hold a day before the release due to pending financial issues.

In January 2024, the team again hinted that the film might release in February 2024, but that too was not released. Meanwhile, another delayed film of Gautham Menon, Joshua: Imai Pol KakhaWas released in March 2024.

Apart from Vikram, Dhruva Natchathiram It stars Vinayakan, Ritu Varma, Parthiban, Simran and Radhika Sarathkumar among others. The film’s cinematography is by Manoj Paramahamsa, Jomon T John, Santhana Krishnan and Ravichandran and editing is by Praveen Antony. It is produced by Ondraga Entertainment in association with Oruorileoru Film House.

With the court monitoring the finances and approving the framework for release, the film has taken a new step towards reaching theatres, although the pending dues, investor funding and discussions with exhibitors are still to be completed before the makers make an official announcement.