Koratala Siva
's 2015 blockbuster ‘
Srimanthudu
,’ starring
Mahesh Babu
and Shruti Haasan, has found itself entangled in a legal battle almost a decade later. Novelist RD Wilson, known as
Sarath Chandra
, has filed a
copyright infringement
case against Koratala Siva, producer Naveen, and Mahesh Babu. He accused them of allegedly copying his 2012 story, 'Chachenta Prema,' published in Swathi monthly magazine.
The case was initially filed in Nampally Criminal Court and City Civil Court in 2017, alleging that ‘Srimanthudu’ had replicated key elements from Sarath Chandra's story without proper authorization. While the Telangana High Court dismissed the cases against Naveen and Mahesh later on, it retained the case against director Koratala Siva. Subsequently, the director appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the decision, but on January 30 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court's ruling.
In his recent interview with ABP Desam, Sarath Chandra expressed his frustration, stating that initially, the accused parties did not respond to the legal notices until they were compelled to do so. He stated that the matter is not about money but about standing up for writers' rights and preventing them from being taken for granted.
Sarath Chandra asserted that he wanted to make a film on his story, but Koratala had stolen it. He further added that he will not compromise for money but Koratala needs to be punished for this act. As a writer he will fight to get them punished both by the court and the film industry.He also questioned the film industry's response, pointing out that prominent figures like Mohan Babu, Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, and Dil Raju have remained silent on the issue.
The writer further claimed that Koratala has not provided any evidence to refute the allegations. Sarath emphasized he has proof of how everything from the hero-heroine characterization to even Vennela Kishore’s role, and the storyline, names of places and companies have been ripped off his story. He argued that Koratala hasn’t registered his story with the writer’s association. Additionally, he expressed dissatisfaction with the prolonged legal process, stating that he intends to file a case against Mahesh Babu and Naveen once again.
Hanu Man | Telugu Song - Anjanadri
Responding to the accusations, the makers of ‘Srimanthudu’ released an official statement, defending the uniqueness of their film and urging individuals to personally assess both works. The statement appealed for patience and trust in the legal process while emphasizing the principles of fairness and integrity. The controversy continues to raise questions about intellectual property rights within the Indian film industry.
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