Maidaan Controversy: What's the Buzz About Ajay Devgan's Film?
The movie 'Maidaan', led by Ajay Devgn, is a biographical drama about the life of Syed Abdul Rahim, a former Indian football coach. It has faced controversies leading up to its release on April 12th.
Anil Kumar, a scriptwriter from Karnataka, accused the film of plagiarism. Anil Kumar took to LinkedIn and wrote, "In 2010, I started writing the story and in 2018, I posted a poster about this, and I got in contact with ad director Sukhdas Suryavanshi through my LinkedIn post. He called me to Bombay (Mumbai) and asked me to get the script. I have the whole chat history."
He further added, "Recently, I heard that a movie named Maidaan is getting released. I was surprised because even I have the same story. They have twisted the main story itself and made this movie."
After Anil moved to the Principal District and Session Court in Mysore, the court ordered a stay on the film's release. The next hearing is scheduled for April 24. This indicates a legal battle ahead between the writer and the film's production team.
The film's makers, Zee Studios and Boney Kapoor's Bayview Projects LLP, have responded to the Court orders by releasing a statement. They said, "The order passed by the District Judge is one-sided, as we were not given a chance to present our side."
The statement from Bayview Projects LLP reads, "Dear all, We have just received the District Judge's Order restraining the film's release. Firstly, we want to mention that this order is one-sided, as we were not given a chance to speak. We were not informed before the lawsuit was filed, and the order came after the film's release. Therefore, any order stopping the film's release now is ineffective under the law."
We were not given any notice before the lawsuit was filed or before the matter was heard. Moreover, the order came after the film had already been released, making any attempt to stop its release legally ineffective. However, we are appealing against this order to the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka. We will request urgent relief from the High Court to halt the enforcement of this order.
Despite this, we are taking all necessary legal steps as advised. Rest assured, the film's release will continue as planned. We will keep you updated on further developments once we have moved the matter to the Hon’ble High Court. Best regards Punkej Kharabanda COO Bayview Projects LLP,†the statement concluded.
"Maidaan," a film based on a true story, showcases Ajay Devgn in the role of Syed Abdul Rahim, a football enthusiast whose dedication brought great honor to India. Alongside Ajay, the movie features Priyamani, Gajraj Rao, and Bengali actor Rudranil Ghosh in significant roles. Adding to its allure, the film boasts a musical score by Oscar-winner AR Rahman. While it had some paid preview shows on Wednesday evening, it's enjoying a wider release today, Thursday, coinciding with Eid celebrations.
In a recent development, the Karnataka High Court has ruled in favor of "Maidaan" following an appeal by
its makers against the lower court's order. The earlier ruling had halted the film's release in any form,
including on OTT platforms, due to plagiarism accusations made by a scriptwriter. However, the High
Court's decision has cleared the way for the film's release in the state. Despite its slow start at the box office,
"Maidaan" is already playing in theaters, ready to captivate audiences with its inspiring story. Notably, it's
competing with "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan" at the box office.