Barroz Copyright Infringement Case: Complainant Accuses Mohanlal Of Breaking His Promise

Controversy Surrounds Mohanlal's Directorial Debut "Barroz" Over Copyright Allegations: Mohanlal's eagerly awaited directorial debut, "Barroz," is generating significant buzz, but it's not just the film's content that's grabbing attention. The movie is currently embroiled in a legal controversy over allegations of copyright infringement, with George Thundiparambil, a Malayali expatriate, at the centre of the dispute. According to a report by The New Indian Express, George claims that Mohanlal's promise to address the issue was not fulfilled, leading him to take legal action against the film.

George asserts that the story of "Barroz" bears a striking resemblance to his own novel, "Maya." The film's production team, however, contends that "Barroz" is based on a novel by Jijo Punnoose, with the screenplay initially written by Jijo Punnoose and later revised by T. K. Rajeev Kumar. In his legal notice, George contends that the plot of "Barroz" closely mirrors the storyline of "Maya," and this, he argues, constitutes a case of copyright infringement. He has requested a delay in the film's release until the matter is resolved. However, with no apparent action taken on his request, George has opted to pursue legal recourse.

George, who currently resides in Germany, authored "Maya" in 2008. The novel is inspired by the folklore of Kappiri Muthappan, a ghost from Fort Kochi. According to the tale, Kappiri Muthappan, an African slave, was murdered by his Portuguese master before he could return home. The ghost is said to guard his master's treasure and only permits a young girl to see him. In George's novel, Maya, an 18-year-old girl, is depicted as the rightful heir to the treasure and the sole person able to see Kappiri Muthappan.

Author Claims Uncanny Similarities Between His Novel And Barroz

George alleges that a copy of his novel was given to a friend, who later transferred it to T. K. Rajeev Kumar. He only recently discovered the similarities between his novel and the storyline of "Barroz."

The film's screenplay is reportedly based on Jijo Punnoose's novel "Barroz: Guardian of D'Gama's Treasure." George claimed that after reading the five chapters of Punnoose's novel, published on his blog, he found significant similarities with his own work. He pointed out that both stories feature a girl who becomes the ghost's master and is uniquely able to see the ghost-elements that he argues are too similar to be coincidental.

Three weeks ago, George received a call from Mohanlal, who purportedly stated that he was unaware of the issue. George clarified that his grievance was not with Mohanlal personally but with the alleged similarities between the novel and the film's storyline. Mohanlal had requested a copy of George's novel, which was provided. Despite assurances of a follow-up call, none were made, prompting George to escalate the matter to court.

As the release date of "Barroz" approaches, the legal battle adds a layer of complexity to the film's premiere, raising questions about intellectual property and creative rights within the industry.