Telugu filmmakers are an anxious lot these days — and it’s no more because of their films’ performance at the box office. There have been rumours around the film industry claiming that several Tollywood films are copies, rather unofficial remakes of Hollywood films. With everyone’s questioning eyes on the industry, the situation is not exactly a pleasant one. Moreover, with the advent of social media, it is quite easy to identify episodes of plagiarism.
Take for example the recent Pawan Kalyan-starrer, Agnyaathavaasi, which is said to be an appropriation of French film Largo Winch. The director of the original has openly criticised Telugu filmmakers for this shameful act, expressing his desire to sue the makers who have completely lifted his ideas and certain scenes from the film. While the situation is already embarrassing, getting into the legal side of things only makes it more complicated.
Mahesh Babu’s film Bharat Ane Nenu is reportedly an unofficial remake of The American President
At the same time, while Mahesh Babu’s film Bharat Ane Nenu is reportedly an unofficial remake of The American President, it is also believed that the filmmakers of Allu Arjun’s upcoming film Naa Peru Surya have plagiarised Hollywood film Antwone Fisher. In fact, after the promotional teaser of the Telugu film was released, many netizens instantly connected the dots and even posted their comments online; however, the producer continues to deny it.
“In our teaser, we have mentioned that the guy is from the Army and has anger management issues. People immediately develop a liking for films on the subject. It is not right that after seeing a few seconds of the teaser, people are judging it and claiming that it is a free remake. Our story is completely different and it’s not a copy of any film,” says Lagadapati Sridhar, the producer of Naa Peru Surya.
Allu Arjun’s upcoming film Naa Peru Surya have plagiarised Hollywood film Antwone Fisher.
Although until a few years ago, many filmmakers copied a foreign film scene by scene, the scenario has been somewhat transformed with the burgeoning of social media platforms.
Today, when a film with a similar theme or scene shows up online or in theatres, the topic is instantly picked up on the Internet and even trolled for days altogether.
In his defence, Sridhar further adds, “Director and writer Vakkantham Vamsi narrated the story of the film to me and I have even seen the English film. It’s an autobiography and the film is a flop. Why would we take inspiration from or copy a flop film?”
He is also ready to take complete responsibility for the upcoming film. “We are putting in a lot of money and also trying to come up with a good message-oriented film. You can’t comment on anything before the film releases,” he states.
AUTHENTICITY, NO-SHOW!
Amid all of these rumours, it is a known fact that every other Telugu film is based on, inspired from or copied from films made in other languages. So where are local creativity and innovation? Is the industry so incapable of coming up with original ideas to entertain the masses?
“Generally, in Tollywood, many things depend on the availability of the director and the actors. Whenever a director gets the dates of a big star and a big production house, he can’t sit on the stories for months or years and may depend on other sources for a script,” feels Sandeep Reddy, director of blockbuster film Arjun Reddy.
To add to that, there is something else killing ‘our’ creativity, he says. “Say I want to make a period-political film but can’t use the party names or the real names of certain people. The censor board also objects these things and you can’t make a true story because of these obstacles. So we have to change the names, places and so many other things. Thus, instead of taking a risk, some people opt out and get inspired from other films,” explains Sandeep.
LAZY AND UNINSPIRED MINDS
Offering another perspective on the issue, writer-director Kranthi Madhav, who received the Nandi Award for his debut film Onamalu, says, “There are many stories but people are a bit lazy. If you look at your surroundings, the society or its people or take a local issue, there are many things to get inspired from to create a story. Taking inspiration from an incident or a film is not an issue, but it is a problem when you copy the same thing and put it in your film. So if you sit and think deliberately, there are many stories that can be picked up and written about.” Interestingly, Kranthi’s next film is going to be a love story inspired from society.
Talking about his next project and his personal filmmaking process, Sandeep shares, “I am preparing my script. It takes me nearly six months to write something and I can’t make a film in a hurry or under pressure from the producer or an actor. I go my own way when it comes to the direction. I never try to remake a film or try to lift it from any other film.”
So clearly, while there are some filmmakers who are totally in it to create real art with their films, there are others who are choosing an easy route. In either case, and for a better future and growth of Tollywood, Agnyaathavaasi is a wake-up call ! Moreover, it’s not just Hollywood filmmakers, the entire world is watching our films keenly, ready to take action if the need arises. So filmmakers, beware!
