Bhansali held guilty of plagiarism for Guzaarish
July 05, 2011 13:20 IST
Sanjay Leela Bhansali has just suffered another blow by way of his last film Guzaarish. The director has been instructed by the Dispute Settlement Committee (DSC) to pay a renumeration of Rs 10 lakh for plagiarising writer Taabish Romani's script Goonj Uthi Shehnai.DSC of the Film Writers' Association (FWA) had informed Bhansali in April that they unanimously conclude that Guzaarish is lifted from Romani's script. The committee pointed out that Guzaarish was similar to Romani's story in the 'fundamental, material and substantial plot points'.
The committee also noted that the film's script submitted to it by Bhansali didn't mention the writer's name although Bhansali was credited for screenplay and dialogues.
The DSC has asked Bhansali to pay Romani Rs 10 lakh as remuneration and by way of damages, and to give him credit in a separate card reading 'Story By Taabish Romani' in all the subsequent copies of the film and film's publicity material.
It also informed Bhansali that in case he did not abide by the decision within 15 days, the matter would be referred to the FWICE. As Bhansali did not do the needful, the FWA referred the matter to the FWICE on May 9 for appropriate and necessary action.