Kannada film Abhinetri, directed by Satish Pradan, has made news right from the day it was launched.
A stay order was issued by the City Civil Court on June 11 against the screening of the film following a petition by writer Bhagya Krishnamurthy.
Pooja Gandhi, the film’s producer who also stars in the film, has approached the High Court of Karnataka seeking directions for the film’s release. Abhinetri, which is yet to get a censor certificate, is all set to hit the theatres this month-end.
The stay order was issued as the petitioner, Ms. Krishnamurthy, contended that the film was based on her work Abhinetriya Antaranga, that was serialised in a Kannada weekly in 2003. The author’s contention is that her story has been used without permission.
Refuting the claim, Ms. Gandhi and Mr. Pradhan say that there is no similarity between the film and Ms. Krishnamurthy’s work. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Pradhan said that he had not heard about Ms. Krishnamurthy’s work until the issue reached court. Refusing to elaborate on the issue as the case was before court, he said that the film had “nothing to do with Ms. Krishnamurthy’s work.”
When Abhinetri was launched, it was alleged that it was a biopicture on yesteryear actor Kalpana.
However, both the director and the producer have asserted that Abhinetri is a tribute to all senior actors in the Kannada film industry.
“I had spoken to many senior artistes and technicians before writing the script. I researched for my subject for more than two years and I say that the film is not based on any particular actor,” said Mr. Pradhan.
Ms. Gandhi said that pictures in the film’s promos published so far have made people believe that the film is based on Kalpana’s life. But, this was not so, she said.
