Indian rip-offs, copycat productions are not new to anyone. Indian directors, producers and concept developers have been very active in stealing the ideas and concepts. But this time, the case is different, they didn’t steal any concept but they copied a very famous name “Harry Potter” as “Hari Puttar”. Keep in mind that the title “Hari Puttar” has been used in the hindi translation of Harry Potter Books.
And this time, nobody remained silent, Yes! Warner Bros has filed a lawsuit against Mirchi Films for stealing the famous franchise of Warner Bros.
A spokesman confirmed the lawsuit against Mumbai-based Mirchi Movies. The case is reportedly due to be heard in Bombay High Court. The film is due to open in India on Sept. 12.
“Warner Bros. values and protects intellectual property rights,” Warner Bros. spokeswoman Deborah Lincoln told the Reporter. “However, it is our policy not to discuss publicly the details of any ongoing litigation.”
Hari is a popular Indian name, while Puttar means son in Punjabi.
“Hari Puttar,” directed by Rajesh Bajaj and Lucky Kohli, stars Zain Khan as Hari alongside veteran Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff.
“Hari Puttar” tells of a 10-year-old boy who moves to England with his parents and becomes involved in a plot concerning a secret microchip and is set for a Sept. 12 release in India.
Munish Purii, the chief executive of Mirchi Movies, said “we registered the ‘Hari Puttar’ title in 2005, and it’s unfortunate that Warner has chosen to file a case so close to our film’s release.”
