Producers of Kahani Ghajini Ki take Ghajini to Court

By Subhash K. Jha, Bollywood Hungama News Network

In an instant-replay version of what happened with Yashraj Films' Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, the producers of Ghajini woke up on Monday morning to a court summon from the producers one KBC Pictures, claiming that they've the rights to remake the Tamil Ghajini and that Aamir's film is therefore an infringement of their (KBC's) copyright.

The film titled Kahani Ghajini Ki has an Amitabh Bachchan lookalike in the lead. Hassled and frazzled by the pre-release procedures, Ghajini's producer Madhu Mantena rushed to court on Monday morning where the honourable judge allowed him to go ahead with the release procedure, arguing why the allegedly aggrieved party waited till a few days before the release of Ghajini to express his grievance. But the producers of Ghajini have been asked to return to court on December 24, a day before the film's worldwide release.

Says Madhu, "This is such a blatant and crude method to stop our film's release. Obviously, the honorable judge saw through it and asked us to proceed, though we are supposed to present ourselves again in court on December 24. But it's a rather sad misuse of the judiciary by people who have nothing better to do than harass others. Where do they get the time to indulge in such transparently-fraudulent efforts? I mean, who had ever heard of Kahani Ghajini Ki until now? At least, I hadn't."

Iqbal, the producer of Kahani Ghajini Ki, claims that KBC Pictures made a film by the said name, which has the same story as Ghajini, and that it cost them Rs 10 crores. Says Madhu, "It seems to me that this is nothing but an effort to make money by putting out a false case." Fortunately, Ghajini's release is unlikely to get affected. "We're holding special previews on 24 December before the release, but no premiere. The only time Aamir Khan had a premiere was for Imran's Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na. He's a better producer than I am."

Aamir Khan doesn't approve of premieres. Madhu adds, "Even the mood at the moment is not conducive for celebrations. A premiere is too much of a hassle at the moment with so much happening around."

All efforts to locate Iqbal of KBC Films failed.

• Movie News