'Ghajini' faces lawsuit days before release

Dec 23, 2008 IANS

Mumbai, Dec 23 (IANS) With just days left for the release of "Ghajini", the film producers have been sent court summons by KBC Pictures claiming to possess the rights of remaking the Tamil version of the movie. But the makers of "Ghajini" say the film will be released as per schedule despite the lawsuit.

The producers, who woke up to the court summons Monday, have been accused of infringement of KBC Pictures' copyright. KBC Pictures is producing a film titled "Kahani Ghajini Ki", which has an Amitabh Bachchan lookalike in the lead.

Producer Madhu Mantena rushed to the court Monday and was allowed to go ahead with the release of "Ghajini" by the judge, after he asked why the allegedly aggrieved party waited so long to express his grievance.

However, the producers have been asked to return to the court Dec 24, a day before the film's worldwide release.

"This is such a blatant and crude method to stop our film's release," Mantena told IANS. "Obviously the judge saw through it and asked us to proceed, though we are supposed to present ourselves again in court Dec 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 heard of 'Kahani Ghajini Ki' until now? I hadn't."

He said it was an "insignificant case which will not affect the release of the film".

"We're holding special previews Dec 24 before the release, but no premiere," he added.

Producer Iqbal claims KBC Pictures made a film called "Kahani Ghajini Ki" at a cost of Rs.100 million, and with the same storyline as "Ghajini".

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