Aspiring writers in the Tamil Cinema industry are being criticized for their ‘borrowed’ scripts recently. Apart from ripping off scenes from Hollywood and Korean films, Tamil filmmakers have either made films from one-liners that a few producers hear from aspiring filmmakers or have lifted the entire story from the script book.
Films like RJ Balaji’s LKG and Jayam Ravi’s Comali directed by debutants KR Prabhu and Pradeep faced allegations of plagiarism despite the films being blockbusters. Similarly, Vijay Sethupathi’s 96 which was also directed by a debutant, Premkumar, was accused of plagiarism last year.
RJ Balaji’s film LKG was thrashed by the social media saying that it’s a remake of Kannda film Humble Politician Nograj. Whereas Comali’s script was accused of plagiarism by aspiring director Krishnamoorthy and the makers gave him the credit. Buffs have also cited that the film is a remake of 2007 Hollywood comedy film ‘Kickin’ It Old School’.
Clarifying this, Dr G Dhananjayan, film producer says, “There are only seven stories in the world and 36 plot points. Therefore the idea will be the same, only the treatment of the story differs.”
He also compares it with the upcoming Pandiraj’s film Namma Veetu Pillai which is based on a brother-sister relationship. “The idea is the same as it was in films like En Thangai, Pasamalar and Kizhakku Cheemayile, but the screenplay of these films varies from each other. Pandiraj would have definitely made it with a fresh approach to engage the new age audience,” he explains.
In the same way, Bharathiraja’s associate Suresh accused Premkumar of plagiarism but lost his case as his story wasn’t registered in the writers union.
Addressing this, K Bhagyaraj who heads the Writers Association says, “An aspiring writer can file a complaint of plagiarism only after six months of membership in the union. Only then we will be able to proceed with further action. We cannot address the rumors that are floating around in social media.”
However, weighing up against last year’s small budget smash hits like Ratchasan and Pariyerum Perumal, this year is yet to see some unique scripts.
