Hindi
Salim, Javed to fight for creative copyright rights of Zanjeer
MUMBAI: After the late Prakash Mehra’s son Amit Mehra announced the making of his father’s 1973 classic Zanjeer, scriptwriters Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar have jointly decided to initiate proceedings against him saying that this was a case of creative and copyright infringement.
Akhtar has complained that the producers haven‘t consulted them before going ahead with the remake plans of the film. He has also said that for any change in the original screenplay, the consent of the writer must be taken.
“I think there is a moral issue involved in the debate that goes beyond legal issues. Perhaps the people who are thinking of remaking Zanjeer have paid for the rights to do so. But creative rights are not like buying property. Salim Saab and I wrote Zanjeer. It is our moral right to be informed about any plans to use our creative resources,” averred Akhtar. “I’ll be taking a very firm legal stand on this to find out what their position is on copyright correctness.”
Meanwhile, Mehra has said that he can never think of remaking Zanjeer without the blessings of the scriptwriters. “They’re a family to me. After dad passed away, they’ve been like my guardians. Their contribution to most of my dad’s films, particularly Zanjeer can’t be undermined,” he said.
Since the film is still at a nascent stage, he didn’t meet the writers, but he would meet them and seek their blessings once everything is confirmed.
The remake, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, is being jointly produced by Reliance Entertainment, Adai Mehra Productions Private Limited and Flying Turtle Films. The film is to be presented by Reliance Entertainment.
Hindi
Rajesh Ramaswamy exits The Script Room to focus on filmmaking journey
Ad filmmaker steps away from own venture to pursue direction and storytelling
MUMBAI: In a move that has caught the attention of the advertising and creative community, Rajesh Ramaswamy has announced his exit from The Script Room, the company he co-founded, marking the end of a seven-year stint at the helm.
The decision, which came into effect earlier this month, signals a shift in focus for Ramaswamy, who is now looking to immerse himself fully in filmmaking and direction as an independent creative.
Known for blending sharp advertising insight with storytelling craft, Ramaswamy has been instrumental in shaping The Script Room into a creative hub that delivered campaigns, branded content, and original storytelling formats. Over the years, the company collaborated with agencies, directors, and a wide network of writers, while also experimenting with formats such as short films and web series.
Sharing his thoughts on the transition, Ramaswamy indicated that the move is driven by a desire to focus and explore stories he has been developing over time. While he acknowledged the unconventional nature of stepping away from one’s own venture, he also framed it as a necessary leap toward clarity and creative pursuit.
Importantly, The Script Room will continue its operations with its current team and leadership, with Ramaswamy expressing confidence in the group that helped build the company’s identity. The studio, he noted, remains well-positioned to evolve further with fresh talent and ideas.
His exit also reflects a wider industry trend, where experienced advertising professionals are increasingly transitioning into independent filmmaking, tapping into the growing opportunities across digital and long-form content platforms.
As Ramaswamy steps into this new phase, the move underscores a familiar creative instinct, sometimes, the boldest ideas begin with a clean break.
