Amir’s Ghajini release of Madras HC stalls
Posted on: December 24, 2008
The release of the much-hyped “Ghajini” starring Aamir Khan on Thursday ran into trouble on Tuesday (Dec 23) over alleged copyright violation with the Madras High Court staying its screening and a separate petition seeking similar action was moved in Bombay High Court.
The interim injunction in Chennai was granted by Justice P R Shivakumar on a civil suit filed by Chandrasekharan, claiming to be the copyright holder for remaking and dubbing of the Tamil film. In Mumbai, KBC Pictures, a lesser-known company, approached the High Court, claiming it possesses copyright to the story and screenplay of the film and sought a stay on the movie’s release.
On the other hand, Chandrasekharan claimed he had only parted with the Chennai city rights, Telugu remake and dubbing rights and satellite rights and retained all other rights of “Ghajini”.
He contended that in April he had come to know that the Chennai-based Geetha Arts Division of Allu Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the producers, and director A R Murugadoss were contemplating production of the film in Hindi and were negotiating with persons in Bollywood.
He stated that he was ‘surprised, shocked and perplexed’ as to how Geetha Arts and Murugadoss could entertain any idea of producing the film in Hindi when they had not been given any rights for the same.
The plaintiff said that he had come to understand that Geetha Arts and director Murugadoss had claimed that they had been granted the rights to remake or dub “Ghajini” in all other Indian languages and on this strength were negotiating the film’s production in Hindi.
Meanwhile, contending that following his complaint before the Tamil Film Producers’ Council in Chennai, Chandrasekharan said the council had summoned him and the respondents (Geetha Arts and Murugadoss) to resolve the issue. The respondents initially responded but later they did not respond to calls from the council.
The plaintiff stated that during the course of conciliation the respondents claimed that on September 28, 2005 he had parted with the rights in all other Indian languages in favour of Geetha Arts. Denying the claim, the plaintiff claimed the council were able to see that there was fabrication of records.
He alleged that on January seven, two persons had come to his office at Salem and threatened him and his family with dire consequences if he did not withdraw his complaint lodge with the council. He said he was constrained to report the matter with the Pallapatti police and a case was registered.
The High Court on February 26 had issued an interim stay on the criminal proceedings on a petition filed by Murugadoss. The criminal original petition was still pending. The plaintiff contended that he had also lodged a complaint with the Central Crime Branch, Salem, against the “accused persons for fabrication of records, cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy”.
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