Thaindian News

By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, Jan 26 (IANS) “Rann” co-producer Madhu Mantena says they will make an out-of-court settlement with freelance journalist and author Sonal Mehta who has taken director Ram Gopal Varma and the producers of the film to court for alleged breach of copyright.

“We’re in the process of making an out-of-court settlement. But Ramu (Ram Gopal Varma) is dead against it. However, the prints of ‘Rann’ have to be sent out and we can’t afford any more delay,” Mantena told IANS.

Mehta has filed a case in Bombay High Court claiming breach of confidential information and infringement of her copyright in the literary work, including screenplay and script. Though nobody is mentioning the sum, she has reportedly asked for close to Rs.55 lakh as out-of-court settlement.

Scheduled for release this Friday, “Rann” stars Amitabh Bachchan as a media baron. It has been co-produced by Mantenna and Sheetal Talwar.

While the film’s producers have in principle agreed to pay up the compensation to avoid the film’s impending released being delayed, Varma is reluctant to cough up the substantial amount. According to him, this settlement would amount to succumbing to last-minute pressure tactics.

“The case is still sub judice and not going to be settled till Wednesday. On principle I’m against this kind of compromise. But we have no time and cannot delay our release,” said Varma.

The next court hearing is on Wednesday. But for all practical purposes Sonal, who apparently produced SMS messages and e-mail in court Monday to prove her charges that “Rann” was indeed based on her script, has triumphed.

So far no comments from Mehta on the issue.