Filmmaker Vignesh Shivan has shed light on the surprising reason behind the title change of his latest film, originally conceived as 'LIC' and now known as 'LIK'. He revealed that the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) made an astonishing demand of Rs 112 crore for the use of the abbreviation 'LIC', compelling the production team to seek an alternative.
The Staggering Demand from LIC
During a recent YouTube interview, Shivan explained the predicament. "We initially named the film ‘LIC’, which stood for Love Insurance Company. But the LIC organisation asked for Rs 112 crore if we wanted to use the title. I don’t have Rs 112 crore, so that was not possible," he stated. This immense financial hurdle meant that continuing with the original title was simply unfeasible for the production.
From 'LIC' to 'LIK': A Creative Solution
Faced with the legal and financial pressures, Shivan and his team had prepared several backup titles. Options such as LIP, LIT, LIK, and LIF were considered. Ultimately, they settled on 'LIK', maintaining the full form as 'Love Insurance Kompany'. The director noted that the playful spelling of 'Kompany' was well-received by audiences after the film's release, adding a unique identity to the project.
This swift decision to change the title allowed the film, starring Pradeep Ranganathan, Krithi Shetty, and S. J. Suryah, to move forward without further legal complications. The creative team also incorporated a design element called 'Kombu' into the 'Kompany' styling, symbolizing pride and attitude within the film's theme.
Box Office Performance Post-Release
The film 'LIK' eventually premiered in theaters on April 10, attracting significant attention despite receiving mixed reviews. According to reports, the movie garnered approximately Rs 39 crore worldwide within its first four days, showing decent support from fans of the cast. The unique story behind its title and Vignesh Shivan's revelation about the exorbitant demand have kept the film in public discussion.