Gulabo Sitabo writer Juhi Chaturvedi dismissed the plagiarism charges and said the script for the film is her original work. Gulabo Sitabo will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on June 12.
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Days after Juhi Chaturvedi was accused by the late writer Rajeev Agarwal's son Akira of plagiarizing his father's story for his upcoming film Gulabo Sitabo, the writer dropped the allegations and said the film is her original work.
Juhi has written the story, script and dialogue for Shoojit director Sircar, with megastar Amitabh Bachchan and actor Ayushmann Khurrana. It is backed by Rising Sun Films.
Akira's lawyer, Rizwan Siddiquee, claimed that Rajeev had presented his story at the 'Cinestaan India Storytelling Script Contest', promoted by the Writers Association (SWA), of which Juhi was a member of the jury and therefore, he had access to history.
Juhi said in 2017 that he had shared the idea of a "crooked old man" with Bachchan who had asked the writer to develop the story.
"My conscience is clear and so are the facts on this matter. Gulabo Sitabo is my original work and I am proud of it. I shared the idea with the film's director and lead actor in early 2017. Later I registered the concept note for the movie in May 2018, "he said in a statement.
The writer denied having access "to the so-called infringing script at any time."
Juhi said the same has been independently confirmed by Cinestaan and the SWA, "who examined this dispute in May 2020 and decided in my favor."
"I speak now to ask the press and the public not to be disappointed in false accusations, which are for publicity only. Acts of harassment, defamatory comments, and leaks of confidential notices by the accusers only show their lack of faith in their own case. I defend my truth, "he added.
Siddiquee had previously said that Akira had reached out to SWA for mediation, who then asked Juhi to submit his script.
The lawyer claimed that Juhi denied having had access to the script for Rajeev, 16, Mohandas Lane, even though it was mentioned in the terms and conditions of the Cinestaan India storytelling script competition.
However, Anjum Rajabali, chairman of the Jury for the Cinestaan Screenwriting Contest, said Juhi "had absolutely no access to this particular script."
Rajabali said the contest was divided into three stages and that the jury, including superstar Aamir Khan, filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, Juhi, only had access to the final eight best screenplays.
"While 16, Mohandas Lane made it to the top 20, it did not enter the final list of 8 scripts that were submitted to the jury. The jury, including Juhi, had absolutely no access to any scripts except the 8 that were submitted for them. Therefore, it is totally wrong to assume that since Juhi Chaturvedi was on the jury for the contest, he had received such a script, "he added.
Rising Sun Films producer Ronnie Lahiri said the controversy appeared to be a "deliberate attempt to slander" Juhi and damage the film.
"Right now, when we made the bold decision to release the film on OTT, these unfounded allegations only create unnecessary controversy," he added.
Juhi has written acclaimed movies like Vicky Donor, October, and Piku, all directed by Shoojit.
Gulabo Sitabo is preparing for its premiere on Amazon Prime Video on June 12.
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