Writer alleges National Award winning 'Byari' plot from her novel

Even as those involved with the Swarna Kamal-winning film Byari are celebrating, the movie is staring at a controversy.

Writer Sara Abbobackar has raised a war cry, claiming that the film is based on her award-winning novel Chandragiriya Theeradalli.

The author said she was shocked upon learning that the movie’s producer did not acknowledge her involvement even though the movie’s central theme has been lifted from her novel.

She said she was not holding a grudge against the producer, but was hurt that she was denied recognition.

Abbobackar said the film producer Althaf Hussain Chokkabettu had approached her for movie rights of the novel, but she could not oblige as she had already signed an agreement with a film organisation, which said she could not part with the rights till 2015.

Chandragiriya Theeradalli was released in mid-1980s. The author claimed she was the first one to propagate the misuse of ‘talaaq’ in Islam so vocally.

She said she had objected to Byari during its release in Mangalore last June, but the producer did not heed her.

She said she had even filed a lawsuit, but had to withdraw it as her advocate did not manage the case well.

However, Chokkabettu said his film was based on the teachings of the Holy Quran.