Akshay Kumar not in Action Replay of Pitt’s film
A couple of days ago, Warner Brothers had taken out a public notice in the Times of India. “Recent reports have indicated certain parties are in the process of producing a film based on the forementioned film (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). Warner or its co-owner
has not licensed any party to remake or make any film based upon the said film…” It went on to say that anyone re-making Benjamin Button shall be dragged to court. It didn’t take the industry insiders long to figure out who the notice was aimed at – recently, Vipul Shah had announced his fourth film with Akshay Kumar. The buzz was that the film was on the lines of Benjamin Button.
A call to the lawyers representing Warner Brothers – Lall and Sethi Advocates – clarified the issue. “The rumours are that Vipul Shah is making a film,” advocate Chander Lall informed us, adding, “They haven’t got in touch with Warner Brothers, or taken permission from them. As soon as we’re sure that they’re violating copyright, we’ll take action.”
It was now Vipul’s turn to respond. He wasn’t aware of this, because as he said, “I’m shooting in Karjat, and we don’t get newspapers here.” But after he heard the news, he said, “My film is called Action Replay. It’s based on a play I wrote 14 years ago, no, 15, actually, in ’94. It was registered with the Censor Board of India, and was staged too. More than 200 shows have been staged. And my film does not have a single scene similar to the Brad Pitt-starrer,” says Vipul. Hasn’t anyone got in touch with him? “No. No one has spoken to me in this regard,” clarified Vipul.
“Right now, there are only rumours. And so we have issued a public notice, we are yet to write to Vipul. If they still make the investment, we will take action. Infringing copyright is no small issue,” said Lall.
Vipul was quick to defend his film and say, “If anybody steals anyone else’s films, strict action must be taken. Having said that, let them prove the similarities, in which case, if I’m guilty, I’m willing to undergo legal punishment. I haven’t even seen Benjamin Button. But if they prove the similarity, I would first like to sue them, because their film would then be a remake of my original registered script and play.”
source: indiatimes.com
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