Actor-filmmaker Major Ravi is facing a setback as Kottayam Commercial Court has found his film Karmayodha, starring Mohanlal, to have a plagiarised screenplay. According to the court's verdict, Puthuppally-based screenwriter Reji Mathew owns the original screenplay, which the Karmayodha makers plagiarised. Consequently, it has asked them to compensate Reji Mathew by paying him a sum of 30 lakh and has bestowed the latter with the film's copyright. The verdict, which judge Manish DA delivered recently based on Reji's complaint, comes after a legal dispute that dates back 13 years. Back then, the complaint alleged that the film's makers used Reji's story, script and lines without seeking his permission. The screenwriter tried to have the court stay the film's release at the time, although it permitted the release when the makers paid him 5 lakh, and it asked them to mention in the credits the dispute about the film's story, script and dialogues.
Subsequently, they credited Sumesh and Shaji as the film's writers, which according to Reji breached the court's order. Reji moved the court once again, looking for a compensation of 40 lakh and a credit for the film's story, script and lines.
Besides having Major Ravi as the primary accused, the case also had Haneef Mohammed, Sumesh, Shaji SV and Robin as the accused. According to the filmmaker, he owns the story and only talked to many writers about it, including Reji.
The verdict in the case comes shortly after the announcement of Major Ravi's next film with Mohanlal, titled Pahalgam Op Sindoor.
