Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Gulabo Sitabo has been embroiled in controversy.
Recently, the screenwriter of the film Juhi Chaturvedi has accused of plagiarism by late screenwriter Rajeev Agarwal’s son, Akira Agarwal, son of late writer Rajeev Agarwal.
It has been claimed that Rajeev Agarwal had submitted a story titled “16 Mohandas Lane” in a contest ”Cinestaan India”s Storyteller Script Contest” where Chaturvedi was a jury member.
Gulabo Sitabo writer Juhi Chaturvedi accused of plagiarism
Refuting the news completely, Chaturvedi has said the film’s story was her original idea. “My conscience is clear, and so are the facts in this matter. `Gulabo Sitabo` is my original work and I am proud of it. I shared the idea with the director (Shoojit Sircar) and lead actor (Amitabh Bachchan) of the film in early 2017. I subsequently registered the concept note for the film in May 2018,” Chaturvedi said.
Quashing claims made by Agarwal, Chaturvedi said, “I also must clarify the speculations around my conduct as a jury member for Cinestaan`s contest. I had no access to the so-called infringed script at any point in time, as alleged. This fact has been independently confirmed by Cinestaan as well. Even the Screenwriters Association (SWA), who has looked at this dispute in May 2020, decided in my favour. I speak now to request the press and public not to be disillusioned by false accusations, which are for publicity only. Acts of harassment, defamatory comments, and leaking confidential notices by the accusers only show their lack of faith in their own case. I stand by my truth,” she said in a statement.
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Meanwhile, a legal notice was sent by advocate Rizwan Siddiquee on behalf of Akira Agarwal to the makers of ‘Gulabo Sitabo’, with the demand to see the film`s complete script.
The film is set to premiere worldwide on June 12 on Amazon Prime Video.