Rajinikanth's last movie 'Darbar' ran into losses. In order to recover the money, distributors reportedly threatened director AR Murugadoss. Thus, on February 4, Murugadoss had filed for police protection. Since no action was taken on it, he had now moved the High Court seeking protection.

AR Murugadoss alleged that over 25 people, claiming to be 'Darbar' distributors, trespassed into his residence at Teynampet and demanded that he must compensate them for the losses the movie incurred. Post the incident, Murugadoss filed a petition, which stated that he wasn't liable to provide any money to anybody for the film since it was the sole liability of the producer Lyca Productions.

He moved Madras High Court seeking police protection. Admitting the plea, Justice P Rajamanickam directed the Chennai police commissioner to file his reply by February 10.

"The incident created a fear psychosis on the petitioner's staff who were present in his residence. The trespassers also used filthy language and started shouting the petitioner’s name creating a threat to his life. The unidentified people continued to be present in front of the petitioner’s office and residence trying to damage the properties," Murugadoss's counsel Vijay Subramanian told Times of India.

Reportedly the distributors had already met Lyca Productions but were turned down by the production house who said that they too were in losses and in no condition to help the distributors out. Apart from Lyca Productions and AR Murugadoss, the 'distributors' also landed at Rajinikanth's house in Poes Garden but failed to get permission to meet him. The distributors then threatened to go on a hunger strike if Murugadoss and Rajinikanth do not arrange for a meeting.

'Darbar's budget was Rs. 200 crore (Rs. 130 crore) by Lyca Productions, out of which Rajinikanth reportedly demanded half as his salary (Rs. 108 crore paycheque) for doing the film. The movie, according to trade sources, incurred a loss of Rs. 70 crore. It managed to mint Rs. 250 crore worldwide and has been termed a disaster.