The Madras High Court on Monday, April 7, 2025, directed G. Ramkumar, elder son of legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan, to file an affidavit by Tuesday, April 8, renouncing any ownership claims over his father’s iconic ‘Annai Illam’ bungalow in T. Nagar, Chennai.

Justice Abdul Quddhose issued the order amid a legal dispute tied to a Rs 9.39 crore loan default by Ramkumar’s son, R.G. Dusshyanth, and his wife, Abirami, partners in Eshan Productions.

The court’s directive follows a February 2025 order attaching 13,310 sq. ft. of the 53,240 sq. ft. property to recover dues owed to Dhanabakkiam Enterprises, stemming from the unfinished film Jagajaala Killadi.

The firm alleged Ramkumar, a signatory to the 2017 finance agreement, held a one-fourth share. However, Sivaji’s younger son, G. Prabhu, contested this, claiming sole ownership since July 2024 via a sibling release deed, arguing the attachment unfairly targets his property for his nephew’s debt.

Justice Quddhose, noting mediation failures and no counter from Ramkumar, seeks clarity on ownership. The bungalow, valued at Rs 88.5 crore, remains a flashpoint in this family and financial saga, with Prabhu’s counsel, P.R. Raman, pressing to lift the attachment. The court’s next move hinges on Ramkumar’s affidavit, potentially reshaping the fate of this Tamil cinema landmark.