This post is being written to congratulate Ram Sampat, the guy who won the case against Rakesh and Rajesh Roshan and managed to prove a point. The issue of plagiarism has reared its ugly head so often in Bollywood that people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law seem to think that it is passé to discuss it any further. The attitude on the part of film makers and music composers towards blatant copying seems to be one of willful negligence. I wouldn’t be surprised if they adopted a hostile attitude towards original and creative people in their fraternity, perceiving them to be the real threats to their well being.

 

All the more reason why exploited people like Ram Sampat need to be doubly applauded for seeing to it that shameless copying does not go unpunished. I was watching the news yesterday and was outraged at the reaction of Jaideep Sen, the director of ‘Krazzy 4’ to the entire episode. According to him, it was not right on the part of Ram Sampath to raise the issue just before the film was slated for its release. It was apparently not in the right spirit.

  

Hello! Do you even realize what you are saying? First of all, you have the audacity to take some one’s original material and attach your name to it without the basic decency of taking his permission. Then you think it is not right on his part to rightfully shake you by the collar! If you were ready to stoop to such a low act, then you should jolly well be ready for the consequences.

 

Actress Dia Mirza had also lent her voice in support of the Roshans. When the journalists interviewed her, she had this totally surprised look on her face at the objections of Ram Sampath and in an incredulous tone she goes on to say- ‘Where was he all this while? After all, the music has been released since the last two months. Why does he have to mention this just three days before the release?’ The answer to that is very simple, Miss Mirza. You see, since it is Ram Sampat’s work originally, he doesn’t need to take other people’s convenience into account before raising an accusatory finger.

 

The irony here is that on one hand, the film fraternity constantly appeals to the masses not to indulge in piracy and on the other hand, they themselves pinch material from creative people all over the world with impunity. Why this double standard? Come on, guys, you can do better than this. Try and do something original and I am sure you will be amply rewarded. And, once again, kudos to Ram Sampat! Hope we see more people of his ilk in the future who stand up against such unjust notions of private property distribution!!!