The Madras High Court Monday stayed the worldwide release of the Amitabh Bachchan starrer "Aarakshan" (Reservation), co-produced by Prakash Jha and Firoz A. Nadiadwala, for non-payment of dues to a financier, the petitioners' lawyer said.

The court stayed the movie release in a case filed by Madhu Gupta and GG Photo Ltd for non-payment of Rs.3.75 crore, which remains unpaid by the movie producer, said K. Ravi, counsel for the petitioners.

"My clients had lent Rs.3.50 crore and with interest the total dues are Rs.3.75 crore. The cheques issued by the producers bounced, and hence the suit, " Ravi told.

He said the court had stayed the worldwide release of the movie. The notice, he added, had been served to Nadiadwala.

"Firoz has received a notice for non-payment of dues, and he will sort it out himself. The prints of my film have already reached theatres, and nothing can stop it from releasing, " Jha, who has also directed the film, told.

The movie, scheduled to be released Aug 12 and based on the caste-based reservation policy in India, also stars Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Manoj Bajpayee and Prateik Babbar.