"They Used A Body Double Without My Consent" - Bobby Simha

Actor Bobby Simha has lodged a police report director John Paulraj for shooting the film Agni VS Devi with a body double, after actor left halfway through the project.

In his complaint, Bobby alleged that five days into the film’s shooting, he opted out of the project. This was done because the script narrated to him was not what was being shot. Simha claims the director completed the movie using a body double and VFX, without his consent.

The Nandambakkam police have booked Paulraj under four sections, including for forgery of documents and criminal breach of trust.

Agni VS Devi was initially known as Agni Dev, and the name was subsequently changed for unknown reasons. The film marks actress Madhoobala’s return to Tamil films, and is set to be a political thriller. Agni VS Devi is scheduled to release on Friday, the 22nd of March.

“The actor opted out of the movie due to creative differences with the director. He had filed a petition at a Coimbatore civil court and an legal notice was served to the director,” said a police officer.

The trailer of Agni VS Devi that was released two days ago shows Simha’s body double during a fight scene. There are also a few scenes where Simha’s character’s face is completely covered.

In an interview with the New Indian Express, Simha said he had to file the police report, “They tried to release the movie even though a case on the matter is pending in court”.

Paulraj defended his move, saying “Bobby tried to commercialise the movie. I didn’t agree to it and he walked out. I had to complete the movie with existing shots,”

A quick check on Cinema Online shows that Agni VS Devi is set to release tomorrow.