Plagiarism in Bollywood : Youtuber lashes out at bollywood.

YouTuber Corrie Hinschen, who regularly reviews Asian films, has a strong message for the Indian film industry and viewers….. “India, We Need to Talk About Plagiarism”, he says, and then goes on to criticize the Indian film industry. After watching 2011 Malayam film ‘Chaappa Kurishu’, Corrie couldn’t control himself and had to make a video on the topic of plagiarism in India. He has been regularly reviewing Asian films, but this Malayalam movie seems to have triggered him at a deeper level, and now he feels the need to take up the fight on behalf of those who have been ripped off by cheaters.

He tells all those who have seem the 2011 Malayalam film, “I’m sorry to say this, but you’ve been bamboozled. You’ve been duped. You’ve been ripped off. This movie is an unauthorised remake.”  He goes on citing the example of films like Agnyaathavaasi, Zinda (a copy of the Korean classic Old Boy), God Tussi Great Ho (Bruce Almighty) and Murder 2 (South Korea’s The Chaser). The cinephile then makes an impassioned appeal: “This has to end. It’s getting ridiculous. Not only are these writers, directors and producers ripping off other filmmakers, they’re ripping off YOU as a consumer. They are telling you that you are getting an original product when it is not one.”

Corrie ends his video with a warning to Indian directors that he will do everything possible with the help of his channel to confront the problem. “If I get something and it’s a rip-off, and it’s not official, I will call it out and I will call out these people and I will make it known that they are thieves. Indian directors, beware. If you do this, I will make a video about it and everyone will know!”

Currently  the Telugu film Agnyaathavaasi is embroiled in a plagiarism row, with French director Jerome Salle threatening to sue the Pawan Kalyan-starrer for allegedly ripping off his Largo Winch. Well, we definitely can’t deny that plagiarism is a problem. From frame-by-frame copies, to uncannily similar themes, plagiarism in Indian cinema covers a wide spectrum. Despite increased scrutiny within the country and outside, it has continued unchecked.

Let us take this time to appreciate those Indian filmmakers who give or original and fresh content. In recent years, in relative terms, plagiarism has decreased with a number of new talented filmmakers. So the future seems bright and lets just hope this trend of originality continues!