Wars of a different kind have broken out on Bollywood turf. Corporates are slugging it out in court.
Delhi HC reportedly issues an injunction stalling shooting of UTV’s Shoebite after Percept says the plot is a rip-off from their film Johnny Walker, reports PRITHWISH GANGULY
Wars of a different kind have broken out on Bollywood turf. Corporates are slugging it out in court. After Ram Sampat successfully sued Rakesh Roshan’s Krazzy 4 for copyright, Percept Picture Company seems to have made a similar attempt and has reportedly won the first round at least.
Percept was making an ambitious film titled Johnny Walker around two years ago that would have had Amitabh Bachchan playing the lead. The film was supposed to be directed by Shoojit Sircar. However, the film went through a production mess and was then shelved.
Meanwhile, UTV started a film titled Shoebite with Amitabh in the lead to be directed by Shoojit Sircar again. The plot of the film, sources say, is similar to Johnny Walker.
Shoebite is the story of a man who travels around the country from Manali to Kanyakumari. The film was supposed to release in early 2009 but it seems like the Delhi High Court has ordered an injunction on the film after receiving a complaint from Percept who have claimed that Shoebite is a rip off from Johnny Walker.
An insider says: “Percept had filed a case against UTV saying that their film Shoebite’s
plot was similar to Percept’s Johnny Walker. In fact Percept was amazed that the director and lead actor of Shoebite was also the same as Johnny Walker. Naturally they were upset and moved the court for justice.”
The source adds, “The Delhi High Court has given the order in favour of Percept. UTV cannot shoot or even market Shoebite until the case is resolved. Almost 75 per cent of the film is complete. The judgment only goes to show how corporatisation of Bollywood is getting better and better. Ram Sampat did it, now it’s Percept’s turn.” Shailendra Singh of Percept was unavailable for comment.
An UTV spokesperson said UTV representatives have clarified that they have not received any injunction orders in relation to the film.
g_prithwish@dnaindia.net
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