Just when I thought there’s nothing original under the sun, there comes a case which is not only original, but has been stolen by somebody else who calls it their own. It’s called an ‘idea theft’. And it’s rampant in the TV and film industry.
But I didn’t know that an acclaimed film director like Anubhav Sinha (Tum Bin, Dus, Cash) would steal an idea, cast Shah Rukh Khan in the film, and call the story his own. Apparently, Sinha’s wife Ratna heard of the horror story first from Mrinal (Who has written, produced and directed such shows as Dulhann, Mano Ya Na Mano, Movers & Shakers, Kahiin Kissii Roz). But nothing happened. Mrinal Jha, in the meanwhile, had also brought out a book of her story called The Prayer, that became an instant hit on Amazon.com. Promising a money-back guarantee to any reader if the book doesn’t scare, her publishing house, Undercover Utopia, did good business.
Today, things are a bit muddy. Mrinal’s husband Abhigyan, who partners her in the publishing venture, is looking at ways to get his pound of flesh if only to send the right signals to the TV and film industry that you can’t steal an idea and get away with it.
Here are some links that will help you better understand this case.
LINK 1: SRK’S PRODUCTION HOUSE TO MAKE COSTLY FILM
The bottom of the link outlines the premise of the film being made with SRK in the lead.
LINK 2: http://undercoverpro.abhigyanjha.com/theprayerbook.php#theprayerglimpses
This is the premise of ‘The Prayer’ by Mrinal and Abhigyan.
LINK3: AMAZON REVIEW OF THE PRAYER
This was written by Anubhav’s wife after reading ‘The Prayer’. She had met Mrinal for a script session and was apparently so terrified after reading The Prayer that she took refuge in Archie comics before she went to sleep. What’s more, she ends her Amazon comment with a wish that the book’s story be made into a film soon.
PS: Anubhav says he’s making this film at a budget of Rs 100 crore. Can’t he atleast ‘buy’ the story that’s helping him make his magnum opus a reality?