Madhur Bhandarkar accepts Karan Johar's apology over 'Bollywood Wives' title row

Hours after Karan Johar wrote an open letter to Madhur Bhandarkar, the latter put out a note on Twitter accepting the 'Student of The Year' director's apology over tweaking and using the title 'Bollywood Wives', which had already been registered by the 'Fashion' filmmaker. 

While Madhur had registered the title 'Bollywood Wives' and denied Karan the use of it, the latter went ahead and titled his upcoming Netflix show 'The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives'. It was on this that Madhur had earlier called out Karan for stealing his title and tweaking it to 'The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives' for Dharma productions' upcoming reality web show.

On Thursday, after Karan apologised to Madhur Bhandarkar for causing 'any grievance during the course of the last few weeks', clarifying in his open letter that his team has been "promoting the series with the hashtag "Fabulous Lives" on all social media platforms" and it is "the franchise title" that they "intend to go ahead with", Madhur has responded with "I accept your apology and would like to leave things here. I too wish you well in your future endeavours."

However, in his note, Madhur also mentioned that "this is not how I believe real relationships work. But let’s move forward." 

Here is what Madhur Bhandarkar wrote in his note:

"Dear @KaranJohar. Thank you for your response. This is indeed a close-knit industry and it operates on mutual trust and respect. When we blatantly disregard norms that we ourselves have established, then it makes very little sense calling ourselves a ‘fraternity’. 

"I didn’t hesitate a moment in the past before granting you the title “GUTKA” in 2013, that you had requested from me, and hence I would have expected the same courtesy in return when I declined you the use of a title I had duly registered, and which I did not intend to part with. The fact that you went ahead and used the title anyway despite our conversation and despite it also having been rejected by the trade associations, is what had upset me deeply. This is not how I believe real relationships work. But let’s move forward. I accept your apology and would like to leave things here. I too wish you well in your future endeavours.

Best,

Madhur"

Dear @karanjohar https://t.co/uNHu4cq8KQ pic.twitter.com/iE9gbQnUpI

— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) November 26, 2020

Here is what Karan wrote in his open letter:

"Dear Madhur, Our relationship goes back a long way and we have both been a part of this close-knit industry for many, many years. Through all these years. I have been an ardent admirer of your work and I have always wished the best for you. I know you have been upset with us. I humbly apologise for any grievance that has been caused to you during the course of the last few weeks. However, I would want to clarify that we have chosen this new and different title -The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives keeping in mind the non-fiction format of our reality-based franchise series. 

As our title was distinct, I did not foresee it upsetting you as it has and for that I duly apologise. I want to inform you that we have been promoting our series with the hashtag "Fabulous Lives" on all social media platforms, which is the franchise title we intend to go ahead with. We assure you that the format, nature, audience and the title of our series are different and would not in any manner dent or encumber the exploitation of your work.

I hope we can move away and onward from this and continue to make exceptionally good content for our audiences. I wish you the very best for all your endeavours and look forward to watching your work.

Best,

Karan Johar"

To my dear friend @imbhandarkar pic.twitter.com/l5oX2hmM8A

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) November 26, 2020

Earlier, after alleging that Karan stole his title, Madhur corroborated his allegations with a letter from The Film and Television Producers Guild claiming that the Guild had declined Karan's request to use the title 'Bollywood wives'.

The letter by Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association stated on November 19, 2020, that Madhur Bhandarkar had the rights to the title 'Bollywood Wives'. Another post read that the Guild did 'not register the name in favour of Dharma Productions'.