As producer-director Ram Gopal Varma prepares for the release of his film Agyaat next month, he has a legal hurdle to conquer.
After writer Sajid Warrier alleged that he used his script for the film, the Film Writers’ Association (FWA) in April directed Varma to pay Warrier Rs 8 lakh as compensation.
However, Varma has now moved the Bombay High Court challenging the jurisdiction of the Film Writers’ Association to pass such an order.
The FWA on Monday told the HC that it would not implement the order before a reply is filed by the Association as well as by Warrier, which means Varma will not have to pay anything for now. Justice A P Deshpande directed the Association to file its reply within three weeks.
The case so far:
Warrier, in his complaint to the association, stated that he had met Varma in his office last year to discuss the story and had given him a copy of it.
Things did not work out between the two. However, Warrier alleges, he later learnt that the film Agyaat – a horror thriller produced and directed by Varma – is based on his story. On November 21, 2008, Warrier issued a notice to Varma and later filed a complaint with the FWA.
On April 8 this year, the Association ruled in favour of Warrier and the settlement committee directed Varma to pay him Rs 8 lakh.
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