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Posts tagged out-of-court settlement
KRK sends legal notice to Prakash Jha; claims to own rights to title Raajneeti
May 15th
By Subhash K. Jha, May 15, 2010 – 14:30 IST
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The problems for Raajneeti seem to be getting more pronounced. Earlier this week, there was a Mumbai-based social worker Naseem Khan who filed a petition in court against Raajneeti asking for its release to be stopped because one of the central characters apparently resembles Sonia Gandhi.
Now one hears that actor and self-styled star Kamal R Khan (or KRK as he likes to be called) has sent Prakash Jha a legal notice claiming rights over the title Raajneeti.
When contacted Jha admits Kamaal, known to generate publicity for himself through various controversies, has indeed sent a legal notice claiming copyrights over the title Raajneeti.
“But my lawyers are looking into it .There’s absolutely nothing in this claim. We shouldn’t give any importance to people who jump into the picture at the time of release for whatever reasons. Look at the way Rakesh Roshan is being harassed over Kites by some person claiming to be entitled to crores of rupees. Earlier we had someone making claims over Ram Gopal Varma’s Rann days before release. This is not done!”
Speaking on Mr Naseem Khan’s claims that Raajneeti casts aspersion on one of the most revered politicians of the country, Prakash Jha retorts, “Let all these self-styled supports of Soniaji come forward to show their loyalty. Am I an irresponsible citizen and filmmaker who would do something so foolish as to portray Soniaji in a bad light? No one has seen a frame of Raajneeti. How does anyone presume that Katrina’s character has any resemblance to Soniaji? Have I said it anywhere? Has Katrina said it anywhere? Let Soniaji watch Raajneeti and decide.”
Ram Gopal Varma very recently and Rakesh Roshan during the release of Krazzy 4 when composer Ram Sampat made plagiarism charges, had to opt for hefty out-of-court settlement to pay up to get their films released. This time both Rakesh Roshan and Prakash Jha are adamant on not giving in to what they see as arm-twisting tactics.
About an out-of-court settlement with the aforementioned Mr Naseem Khan, Prakash Jha said, “Over my dead body. I’d burn the prints of my film rather than give into such blackmail. No out-of-court settlement for me. I’ve seen enough legal obstacles in my life. This is nothing.”
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
That Mehta girl is a scamster-Ram Gopal Verma
Jan 28th
Ram Gopal Varma vows to teach Sonal Mehta ‘a lesson’ even as Rann producers, Madhu Mantena and Sheetal Talwar, pay her a hefty amount to end legal dispute
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 28, 2010)
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| Rann |
Rann director Ram Gopal Varma has threatened to ‘take action’ against Sonal Mehta, who took the film to court claiming that it was based on her idea. But the warring parties reached an out-of-court settlement on Wednesday, clearing the way for the release of the Amitabh Bachchan starrer.
Though the exact amount paid to Sonal Mehta is not known, she is apparently happy with the deal. But Ramu is spitting fire.
“I want to state that the producers of Rann, Sheetal Talwar and Madhu Mantena, have taken a decision to settle the dispute with that Mehta girl without my consent. The honorable High Court has not passed any judgment or granted any injunction in the dispute in any parties’ favour. As delaying the matter could cause irreparable loss to them, they have taken this step to end the matter so that they can concentrate on release issues,” said Varma, adding that “absolutely no credit will be given to her with regard to the story, screenplay, or whatever, of Rann.”
Barely able to control his rage, Varma lashed out at Mehta, accusing her of using unethical tactics. “I am just the director of the film and the script has been written solely and wholly by Rohit G. Banawlikar. That Mehta girl is nothing but a fraud, a scamster and an opportunist. I will proceed with action against her to teach her, and the likes of her, a strong lesson as soon as I get free from my work.”
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| Ram Gopal Varma |
On the other hand, Sonal Mehta didn’t seem particularly perturbed by Varma’s outburst. “Ramu can say whatever he wants. I really don’t care. I know what the truth is. Yes, we have had a settlement, but I am bound by a confidentiality agreement. At least I am going to sincerely abide by it. The world knows what Ramu is.”
Sonal Mehta to get 55 lakhs as out of court settlement for Rann
Jan 26th
By Subhash K. Jha, January 26, 2010 – 10:19 IST
In spite of Ram Gopal Varma’s loud protestations about the writer’s claim being nothing more than an attempt to make mileage just days before his film’s release, to avoid an impending stay order on the release of his Rann this Friday, Ram Gopal Varma has apparently been persuaded to make an out-of-court settlement with the writer Sonal Mehta.
Though nobody is mentioning the sum, Mehta has asked for and apparently is likely to get a sum close to Rs. 55 lakhs as out-of-court settlement.
While the film’s producers have in principle agreed to pay up the compensation to avoid the film’s impending released being delayed, director Ram Gopal Varma in a sudden outburst of indignation, is reluctant to cough up the substantial amount of money. According to him, this settlement would amount to succumbing to last-minute pressure tactics.
The next court hearing is on Wednesday morning. But for all practical purposes Sonal who apparently produced SMS messages and e-mail in court on Monday to prove her charges that Rann was indeed based on her idea/script, has triumphed and will on Wednesday walk away with a hefty amount as compensation to facilitate the release of Rann.
Co-producer Madhu Mantena says, “We’re in the process of making an out-of-court settlement. But Ramu is dead against it. However, the prints of Rann have to be sent out and we can’t afford any more delay.”
As for Ram Gopal Varma all he will say tersely is, ‘The case is still subjudice and not going to be settled till Wednesday. On principle, I’m against this kind of compromise. But we have no time and cannot delay our release.”
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
