Ajay Devgn's much-anticipated film, Maidaan, has found itself embroiled in a legal controversy just on the eve of its release. A scriptwriter from Karnataka, Anil Kumar, has alleged that the makers of Maidaan have plagiarized his story, leading to a legal battle that resulted in a stay on the film's release by the Mysore court. ALSO READ: Maidaan: Ajay Devgn Recalls The FIRST Time He Heard Legendary Football Coach Syed Abdul Rahim’s Story; Actor Says, ‘Was Shocked And Surprised’
Anil Kumar claimed that he had penned a narrative centred around the Indian Football team's exclusion from the 1950 FIFA World Cup, registering it with the Screen Writers Association in Mumbai under the title Paadanduka back in 2010. He alleged that Maidaan's assistant director, Sukhdas Suryavanshi, had approached him in 2019 expressing interest in his story and even mentioned the possibility of collaborating with Aamir Khan for its production. However, Anil's story was allegedly adapted without his consent for Maidaan. ALSO READ: Maidaan: Ajay Devgn Recalls The FIRST Time He Heard Legendary Football Coach Syed Abdul Rahim’s Story; Actor Says, ‘Was Shocked And Surprised’
Expressing his shock upon learning about Maidaan's impending release, Anil stated that the movie's teaser and statements aligned closely with his narrative, indicating a blatant misappropriation of his work. Subsequently, he took legal action by filing a petition in the Mysore court, urging for a halt on the film's release.
The court responded by ordering the producers and distributors of Maidaan to refrain from releasing the film until further notice. Despite this development, the makers of Maidaan have not officially addressed the judgement and have continued to promote the movie for its scheduled release date of April 11. Notably, a star-studded premiere for Bollywood celebrities took place in Mumbai on Tuesday night, adding an element of intrigue to the unfolding situation.
Maidaan, which delves into the life and impact of Syed Abdul Rahim, a pioneering football coach in India during the late 1950s and early 1960s, stands at the centre of this plagiarism controversy, casting a shadow over its highly anticipated debut. The clash between Anil Kumar and the makers of Maidaan underscores the complexities and challenges faced in the creative industry, emphasizing the importance of intellectual property rights and ethical practices in storytelling.
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