Plagiarizing films or taking a leaf out of another book?

Kochi: Sreenivasan plays this aspiring scriptwriter who narrates his stories to his childhood friend-turned-rich producer Mammootty, who goes on to quickly identify the hit films with the same plot. Azhagiya Ravanan was released a long time ago but what made people laugh heartily — plagiarism — seems to have become a fact of life in Mollywood.

The industry has been coming up with a hit or two every now and then, the latest being How Old Are You and Bangalore Days. Some are so elated that they talk of a return of the ‘golden age’. But scratch the surface and what emerges is not a pretty picture but one that suggests acute idea shortage.

Listen to Lenin Rajendran, who made several aesthetically pleasing yesteryear movies: “Mollywood has this increased tendency of remaking. Or we can call it as copying films from other countries. It is not wrong to be inspired after watching a film. But it is definitely not right to lift an entire movie and tweak it with some local flavour. Such action cannot be called direction but only as robbery.”

He agrees that the previous generation of filmmakers were also inspired by Hollywood movies. “But they had the knack to present in our style after absorbing only the idea. There was a certain pace to our movies. I am worried that the originality and sincerity of our cinema will be affected because of this,” adds Lenin.

Thanks to YouTube and Torrents, many viewers are subjected to a feeling of de javu as they watch the so-called blockbusters. Entire films are copied from places as varied as Bosnia, Nigeria and Serbia. Difference in cultural context seems to be no deterrent for our filmmakers but they seem to undermine the reach of their audience, who also have access now to the same online resources that serve as a minefield for the new-age directors.

True, there are films with original themes like Bangalore Days, Om Shanthi Oshana, How Old Are You and 1983, but a majority of the box office hits over the past four years are ‘inspirations’. Senior directors point out that it is not just a moral issue involving copying but also a much more complex one since such imported films bring in an alien value system too.

“The relationship between movies and culture involves a complicated dynamic,” says director Madhupal. “Therefore films will obviously reflect the prevailing concerns, attitudes and beliefs. When one takes out a film from another country, which is produced based on the culture of that country, the audience here will be trying to identify themselves with the anxieties, beliefs and values portrayed on screen. This will indirectly influence them in shaping and solidifying their cultural beliefs. This might lead to an identity crisis for both the viewers as well as the film. Hence let’s make films that represent our contemporary trends, issues and events.”

According to award-winning director Kamal, the trend of copying or getting inspired has been there for decades. But given the increased number of such films, there is every reason to be worried about how it will shape the upcoming generation. “Earlier it was Korean films, now they lift from other countries. The directors are indirectly mocking the audience who come to watch a movie with great expectations. If the viewers together decide that they will not accept such movies, the directors will be left without any option,” he says.

Suveeran says that it is okay to remake movies as long as directors acknowledge it, as there could be universal themes. “Each creation has an intellectual behind it. Hence we should acknowledge it. The industry is undergoing a kind of revival and there seems to be no shame in mimicking other films and their style. A casualty could be the originality that we were always proud of,” he explains.

Inspirational movies: