Bollywood plagiarism case settled out-of-court
Source: The Times (7 August 2009)

'The Times' newspaper reported today (7 August 2009) that an out-of-court settlement had been reached between BR Films of India and Twentieth Century Fox over alleged plagiarism. Twentieth Century Fox took the Mumbai-based BR Films to court, alleging that the Indian company’s forthcoming film 'Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai' (This Guy is Fearless) was an illegal remake of the American studio’s Oscar-winning crime caper 'My Cousin Vinny', which was released in 1992. BR Films has since agreed to pay Twentieth Century Fox (82.1% owned by News Corporation) about $200,000 (£119,000) in an out-of-court settlement.

"The deal paves the way for the Indian film’s release, but it could mark the end of an era where Bollywood remade everything from The Godfather (the Hindi version was called Sarkar) to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, renamed Satte Pe Satta, with apparent impunity", the newspaper reported.

"In recent months Chander Lall, a lawyer who represents two major American studios, has sent a slew of warning letters to producers who he believes are copying Hollywood films. The titles allegedly poised to be “Indianised” included Ghostbusters, Jerry Maguire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Departed and The Hangover. Mr Lall said that Bollywood had long paid homage to Hollywood’s most successful films, but that Indian studios had increased the practice in recent years."

“Bollywood used to deliver pure escapism. The films were driven by glamour and a star cast and the plot was not important. With the arrival of modern multiplex theatres over the past five years, and the more discerning audiences they attract, that has changed,” he told The Times. “Audiences now want new stories. The problem is, Bollywood has no tradition of producing original screenplays.”