Plagiarism Controversy: Superstar Rajinikanth's Kaala Karikaalan in trouble
What's the story
A Chennai court issued notice to superstar Rajinikanth following plagiarism allegations and plea against his upcoming movie 'Kaala Karikaalan'.
Petitioner K Rajashekaran claimed the title and story of the Rajini-starrer belonged to him.
Assistant City Civil Judge RKP Tamilarasi sought responses of the megastar, the film's director PA Ranjith, the producer, and South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce by 15 June.
Details
Restrain the respondents from producing film: Petitioner
Rajashekaran, the proprietor of GSR Vinmeen Creations, sought the court's direction to restrain the filmmakers from producing Kaala Karikaalan till the disposal of the petition.
He submitted the "title, knot and story of Karikalan absolutely belonged" to him.
Chennai-based Wonderbar Films announced it was producing the film to be directed by PA Ranjith; its first schedule shoot was completed in Mumbai.
Information
Petitioner planned to produce the films
Rajashekaran had plans to produce a movie about Chola Emperor Karikaalan by adopting it to the present social trend. He claimed he narrated the story to Rajinikanth Fans Association leader Sathyanarayana and also met Rajinikanth, who couldn't hear the narration because of his busy schedule.
Claims
Chamber had not renewed title registration: Rajashekaran
Rajashekaran contended he already registered the title Karikaalan with the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce.
He alleged the Chamber was misusing the rules of registration, cancellation, and renewal of the titles to favor some "influential" persons and disfavoring "indigent" persons.
He claimed the title registration's one-year validity clause was itself vogue and the Chamber cannot fix time-frame to complete a person's creativity.
Other cases
Another pending dispute over Karikaalan
The petitioner also contended another dispute over the title and knot of the story of Karikaalan was pending in Chennai's civil court and hence the matter was sub-judice.
He added the producers using the title, Karikaalan, was illegal.
He prayed the court to grant interim injunction and restrain the filmmakers from conducting shoots or other activities in progress of the film.