The Bombay High Court has issued notices to actor-producer Suniel Shetty, director Priyadarshan and writer Neeraj Vora for an alleged infringement of The Copyright Act in their forthcoming film Bhagam Bhag.
The movie is scheduled for a 22 December, 2006 release all over. The film’s story, according to the allegations, has been picked from popular Malayalam film Mannar Mathai Speaking. Made in 1995, it was directed by Mani C. Kppan and starred Mukesh, Vaani Vishwanath and others. The notices have been issued on 7 December and the three defendents have been asked to file a reply by 12 December.
Suniel Shetty who is currently away attending the GIFA awards in Kuala Lumpur, was unavailable for comment.
The film’s publicist Parag Desai says, “I have read it somewhere, but it sounds untrue. You will have to talk to Priyadarshan-ji, but he is in Pune for work. We had faced similar problems during our earlier release Golmaal too.”
Yatish, who manages Suniel Shetty’s affairs, says, “I have read it somewhere. I will not be able to say anything about it till Monday. But I feel there isn’t an iota of truth in it.”
Says Neeraj Vora, the writer of the film, “It is a stupid prank played by someone by planting false news in the newspapers. I have not received any notice. I believe it is Priyan’s story and I have done the screenplay-dialogue for the film. I feel somebody out there wants to tarnish our image.”
Since 1992, all of Priyadarshan’s Hindi films were mostly remakes of hit Malayalam or other South Indian language films.
Among his recent releases, reports suggest that Chup Chup Ke is a remake of Punjabi House; while Kyon Ki was inspired by Thalavattam; Garam Masala by Boeing Boeing; Hulchul by Godfather; Hungama by Poochakkoru Mookkuthi; Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar by Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam; Hera Pheri by Ramji Rao Speaking; Doli Saja Ke Rakhna by Aniyathi Pravu; Virasat by Tamil hit Thevar Magan; Saat Rang Ke Sapne by Thenmavin Kombath; Gardish by Kireedam; Chori Chori by Chithram and Muskurahat by Kilukkam.
Bhagam Bhag is jointly produced by Suniel Shetty’s Popcorn and Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Paresh Rawal, Lara Dutt with a special appearance by Sameera Reddy.
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It is not simply reports, but all the movies done by Priyadarshan in Hindi are remakes of Malayalam movies(Virasat is the remake of a Tamil movie). Bhagam Bhag, from the outline of its story, appears like Mannar Mathai Speaking, the Part II of Ramji Rao Speaking, which Priyadarshan has already remade in Bollywood as Hera Pheri.
baagam baag is indeed a remake of malayalam movie “mannar mathai speaking” which is originaly a sequel to “ramji rao speaking”. priyadarshan had nothing to do with its script or anything for that matter