After waking up to see an advertisement for a film that he has openly asked not to be a part of, actor Vijay Sethupathi threatened to go to the police and the court, if the producer didn't back down.

"I was shocked to see images of myself with the poster of a movie that I have even written to trade unions to be released from. If this continues, I will have no choice but to seek legal recourse," said the actor in a statement.

A few weeks ago, R K Suresh of Studio 9 Productions, the man who had distributed some of Sethupathi's biggest films including Soodhu Kavvum and Idharkuthaane Aasaipattai Balakumara, issued a statement that he was 'quitting the industry' because Vijay Sethupathi had cheated him. He alleged that the actor had taken an advance to act in a film called Vasanthakumaran - and dodged shooting for over a year.

Responding to those allegations in a statement, Vijay Sethupathi said, "The producer ‎had indulged in several activities that were wrong and used a lot of bad language, which is why I decided that I would not act in this film. Over the last year, I have been offering to return the advance of Rs 9 lakh with interest, that I took for the film. But, he has not accepted this and has been asking for crores of rupees in damages."

The actor had sought help from the Nadigar Sangam (Film Artistes Union) while the producer had done the rounds at the Tamil Film Producers Council - both groups met for an arbitration, that didn't quite work out.

"I even gave a second complaint to the Nadigar Sangam to be freed from this movie so that I could work on my other films," he added.

"Those like me — one who has no backing and stands on his own after struggles, get targeted by people like this. Other actors also would have gone through this phase. So, I too can handle this issue. I had walked out of this film long ago and now publishing the film's advertisement featuring me is not right. At the Nadigar Sangam meeting, I had agreed to pay the advance money. They really cannot force me to act in this film. I will repay the advance, but I will not work with that producer (Suresh) anymore."

Ask him why he opted out of the film, he says, "I agreed to work on the film as I liked the script. But in between, certain things happened that made me opt out of the film. When I came to know that the production house's idea was to make money without making the film, I backed out. Their intention cannot be explained. They started behaving in a weird fashion and I didn't like the way they functioned. I have explained everything clearly at the Nadigar Sangam meet. I can work with that director again on some other film but not for this production house."

Sethupathi is wrapping up S P Janananthan's film and will begin Naanum Rowdy Thaan, to be produced by Dhanush's Wunderbar Films soon.

Responding to the allegations, R K Suresh of Studio 9 Productions said that he was well within his right to advertise about the film as he saw fit, "It is my film. Who is he to tell me not to advertise? He has no legal standing and it is I who will start legal proceedings against him for having swindled me," he said curtly, "I have all the paperwork, what does he have?"

Meanwhile, we asked him why he published the ad featuring Vijay Sethupathi despite the actor having walked out of the film. Suresh said, "Until a final decision is made, this is my property and I will keep publishing ads featuring him. All I want is for him to complete this film."