Many don't know that last month, a Sharwanand-Nithya Menen film even released. It was Rajadhi Raja, the dubbed version of Tamil film JK Enum Nanbanin Vaazhkai. The tragedy is that the lead pair, the lead supporting actor (Prakash Raj) and even the writer-director (Cheran) are well-respected by the audience, although the last one is a favourite of only the discerning, but the film was not talked about in the media. The film didn't get due publicity.

Cheran has put the blame on Sharwanand for not participating in the film's promotion efforts. In a statement issued from Chennai, the talented director has said that he didn't respond to his requests to publicise the film. Since Cheran is not from Tollywood, he naturally had difficulty to promote the film without the co-operation of Sharwa, who didn't participate in any press meet related to the film. Cheran has also been quoted as saying that he had always treated Sharwa as his brother because he came to his help when needed. He reportedly owes Rs. 45 lacs to the actor. "I have never said that I won't clear the dues," he said.

Cheran has come down on Sharwa, saying that he shouldn't let down a producer who spends crores on a film.

To get into further details, the Tamil version had a straight-to-video release last year. When it had a DVD/Internet release without a theatrical release, many were surprised. In an interview this March, Sharwa expressed surprise at the decision to go for a theatrical release in Telugu when it was not the case in Tamil. "Why are they releasing it in theatres, I wonder. I will be happy if it does well, though," he had said. It was clear that he wouldn't promote the film. And that was the last time we heard anything from the actor about the film.

Needless to say, Cheran was hoping to bank upon Sharwa's popularity here. The hero has had three back-to-back hits. May be, Sharwa was put off by the fact that the Telugu release has been postponed for more than a year. It was to release as Yemito Ee Maya last year. Had that film released last year, the Malli Malli Idhi Rani Roju image would have come in handy for the lead pair.

After Cheran's allegations, Sharwa's response is awaited.