One of the natural byproducts of success is heartburn.

Every success creates bitterness to somebody somewhere.

And it has in director Bala and producer V Durai.

Bala and Durai combined together for Pithamagan, which not only ran well but also won the National Award for Vikram. It was a film that has been a milestone in Tamil film industry.

But in the sweet aftermath of the film's release, there was bitter acrimony between Vikram and Durai. It was alleged that Durai had defaulted on Rs.25 lakh payment to actor Vikram.

It was even rumored that the two had come to blows over that. But Vikram, ever the gentleman that he is, kept a dignified silence at press meets and other function even when media personnel tried to provoke him on the incident.

Amidst all this, Bala had sided with Vikram and spoken to the director on his behalf.

Durai, it seems, has not forgiven Bala for siding with Vikram.

So almost after two years, Bala and Durai are pitted against each other now.

Durai has reportedly filed a case against Bala in Madras High Court stating that the director made Pithamagan on a huge budget, exceeding his promised estimates and thereby making him (Durai) incur a loss of Rs 90 lakh.

With Bala completing his home production Mayavi starring Surya and Jyothika and getting it ready for release, this issue has indeed upset him.

Now Bala is under intense pressure to release Mayavi, but this matter has dampened his spirits.