'The Dirty Picture' in Kannada: Ekta Kapoor opposes title

Banaglore, May 6 (IANS) Director Trishul of "Baba" fame has titled his next Kannada film "The Dirty Picture", but filmmaker Ekta Kapoor is unhappy and has filed a complaint against the use of the title.

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) cleared the title for producer Venkatappa's yet-to-be-launched Kannada film, which will reportedly star Pakistani actress Veena Malik in the lead role.

Ekta, who had produced Viday Balan starrer super hit film "The Dirty Picture" in Hindi under her banner Balaji Telefilms, has written a letter to the president of the KFCC requesting him to withdraw the permission for the use of the title by Venkatappa. She has given them five-day deadline.

The KFCC executive committee is considering the issue and sources said that KFCC has referred the matter to a legal expert and that they are awaiting a response.

Meanwhile, Trishul says he won't change the title and that he is prepared for a legal battle.

Said Trishul: "There is no bar on keeping a title of any other language film to be made in a different language. There are several precedents before. We have a Kannada film called 'Housefull' (title inspired by Hindi movie) and 'Bhadra' (Telugu title). We have legally obtained clearance from the KFCC. Why should we change the title now?"

Apart from title, there will be no similarity between the two films, said the director adding that while the Hindi film was an unofficial biopic on southern sex symbol Silk Smitha, his film will have a fresh story.

"The title may just remind the viewer of a Hindi film with the same name. That is all. My story is original and realistic. It does not have even an iota of similarity with the Hindi film," said Trishul who has written the story and screenplay for the film.

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The Dirty Picture