Bombay High Court allows 'Ghajini' release

Mumbai, Dec 23 (IANS) The Bombay High Court has allowed "Ghajini" to be released on Dec 25 (Thursday) even though the case filed against its producer for alleged violation of copyright is still pending in the court.

A little-known production banner, KBC Pictures, had filed a case in the court Monday, claiming that producer Madhu Mantena had infringed upon its copyright as it had acquired the right to re-make "Ghajini" in Hindi.

Asking for the court's stay on the movie's scheduled release Dec 25, the counsel for the banner told the court that his client's re-make version of the movie was already on the floors under the title "Kahani Ghajini Ki".

The sudden litigation involving the movie will have little impact on its promotional campaign, says the producer.

According to Mantena, various brands being endorsed by actor Aamir Khan have joined hands to start a Rs.140-million promotional campaign, the costliest marketing campaign ever to promote a Bollywood movie.

"This kind of promotional campaign is necessary to create a hype around the film, so that more people become aware of its release," Mantena said.

Some brands associated with the campaign have come out with their new product lines.

While clothing brand, Van Heusen, has already launched its new 'Ghajini' apparel, the mobile instrument and accessories company, Samsung, has come out with two special edition mobile sets, L700 and M200. These two models are pre-loaded with 'Ghajini' ringtones, songs and pictures.

Mantena revealed that a series of 'Ghajini' merchandise would be available in stores across the country after the movie hits the screen Dec 25.

KBC Pictures is producing a film titled "Kahani Ghajini Ki", which has an Amitabh Bachchan lookalike in the lead.

However, the producers have been asked to return to the court Dec 24, a day before the film's worldwide release.

"It's a rather sad misuse of the judiciary by people who have nothing better to do than harass others. Where do they get the time to indulge in such transparently fraudulent efforts? I mean, who had heard of 'Kahani Ghajini Ki' until now? I hadn't," Mantena told IANS.

He said it was an "insignificant case which will not affect the release of the film".

"We're holding special previews Dec 24 before the release, but no premiere," he added.

Producer Iqbal claims KBC Pictures made a film called "Kahani Ghajini Ki" at a cost of Rs.100 million, and with the same storyline as "Ghajini".

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Ghajini

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