Bumpy ride ahead

Rajnikanth-starrer Robot is in for more trouble. Even before the controversy over the sale of the film’s Telugu rights is over, it has become entangled in yet another debate. Vijayarke, the author of Man Robot, a novel published in 2002, suspects that his story was used in the movie and wants “credit” for the same.
“I watched the Telugu audio launch of Robot on TV where the director of the movie, Shankar, revealed part of the story. It’s similar to mine and I sent an email, my story and other details to Shankar seeking clarification. So far there has been no reply from Sun Pictures. I will be in a loss if my story is copied. I spent two years writing this and if I want to sell it to a producer later, they will say it is Robot’s story. I want them to give me credit in the movie if it was used,” says Vijayarke.

The author called a media conference on Saturday with advocates specialising in intellectual property rights and expressed his anguish. While claiming that he only suspects the filmmakers of using his story and has no intention of stirring up a controversy, Vijayarke seemed desperate to get his share of popularity and credit for this much-awaited film.

Meanwhile, Tollywood’s renowned film distributor Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao has approached the AP Film Chamber of Commerce complaining against Sun Pictures for “defaming and cheating” him. Sun Pictures had earlier accused Srinivasa Rao of falsely claiming to have bought the rights of the movie and slapped cases against him. Rao, in turn, came up with evidence of a demand draft of Rs 2 crore that he had sent to Sun Pictures as advance towards the purchase of the Telugu rights of the movie. The matter is pending with the AP Film Chamber of commerce for their final judgment on the controversy.

“We bought the rights for Rs 27 crore and sent them Rs 2 crore as advance. Sun Pictures, from Chennai, has also sent us a letter acknowledging our purchase. But they have now sold the rights to Thota Kanna Rao for a slightly higher price. We have been deliberately defamed and cops too are refusing to register a case against them here. We have complained to the Film Chamber and are awaiting justice” said Murali, the nephew of Chadalavada.
With the movie slated to hit the screens in the last week of September and being touted as the most expensive film in the history of Indian cinema, more creative people are expected to stake their claims in this magnum opus.