Writer accuses Anurag Kashyap of plagiarism; director denies

A writer has accused director Anurag Kashyap of copying his story in the compilation movie Bombay Talkies, but the Dev D director has rubbished the claims, saying he would not allow "free publicity" at his expense.

Nishant G Ranjan claimed Kashyap's upcoming short film in Bombay Talkies is based on a similar story that he sent to the director in 2011. Ranjan has taken the matter to Film Writers Association. The film, which releases on May 3, is a compilation of four stories by Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar and Kashyap.

"The basic premise of the story is same - the struggle and the last wish of a fan to meet his idol Amitabh Bachchan. I had given my story to Anurag Kashyap in 2011. He did not reply so I thought he did not like the idea," Ranjan claimed.

He also claimed that he did not get back with Kashyap because he thought the director did not like his idea and came to know about the similarities after reading articles in newspapers. Reacting to Ranjan's claims, Kashyap tweeted, "Mr Nishant Ranjan, you have accused the wrong guy... I don't allow free publicity at the expense of my reputation."

PTI