You will remember that 'Thotta' film shooting was to commence with Jeevan and Priya Mani in the lead. But the project that had gathered dust has been re-dusted and revived by producer Bhaskar.

The market for Jeevan and Priya Mani has gone up several notches since the film pooja was done. So Bhaskar has elevated their fee according to their present worth.

If the hero and heroine could have their fees hiked up, why not mine, said cameraman UK Senthil Kumar and asked for 4 lakhs - twice that of his earlier agreed amount of 2 lakhs. He even went to the council that shooting should not start till his hiked fee came into effect. But the council shrugged saying shooting cannot be stopped for a single individual.

That was enough for the producer who declared that market and value applied only to actors. He paid Senthil Kumar Rs.35, 000 for work already done in the film and let go of his services, replacing him with cinematographer Balamurugan.

So shooting resumed yesterday at Choolaimedu with Balamurugan. The scene was of Jeevan and Priya Mani lighting Karthigai lamps and bursting fire crackers. For this scene, an assistant director helped by setting fire to the cracker, but it burst in his hand and injured him badly. So pack-up was called at 8pm itself.