The Anniyan Remake problem : whose right is it anyway?

So here is the deal. Shankar announced that he will be making the 'adaptation' of Anniyan in hindi with Ranveer Singh. No sooner did the new reach Aascar V Ravichandran the producer of 'Anniyan', he sent out an open letter/email to Shankar asking him to not proceed with it.

Both letters:

For the legal, practical and ethical route, the answer is: it is still Ravichandran who has the final say on the topic of a remake. So far whatever Shankar has responded with seems like a whimper rather than an actual statement with proofs and signed agreements. Just because Shankar uses the word 'Adaptation' it doesn't mean anything would change. A remake is a remake.

Shankar was a paid employee in the Anniyan Unit. Ravichandran was the producer. Remake rights are handed out by the producer alone and not by the director. This unless there is an understanding like incase of Raghava Lawrence and Director/ producer Saran. Saran produced the first movie of his Muni series, which is currently Lawerence’s property. He still pays Saran generously everytime he uses the Muni/Kanchana brand.

If there is no such understanding or agreement, the rights are with the producer open and shut. The laws around it might change and there might be intricacies that we outsiders don't see. But the job of a producer is difficult as hell and retaining movie rights is one of the benefits they reap as part of it. I'm not one for conventions, but in this case it makes sense.

It's funny to see this even being discussed. Will Shankar allow an unauthorised remake of Simbhu Devan’s Imsai Arasan that he produced? Does Simbhu Devan own the remake rights because the movie is his brain child?

I think we should practice what we preach . Cine industry runs on conventions and gentlemanly agreements.