Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri-led Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video have been in the headlines for not-so-good reasons for the last couple of days. The film – whose trailer has garnered immense appreciation from the audiences, has found itself in hot waters owing to a plagiarism controversy. For the unversed, producer Sanjay Tiwari has accused VVKWWV director Raaj Shaandilyaa of copying a movie idea he registered way back in 2015.
Tiwari recently held a press conference and opened up about the plagiarism row, including registering the concept of his film months before Shaandilyaa, potential legal action and lots more. Read on to know all that was said at the press conference.
A couple of days ago, producer Sanjay Tiwari publicly accused writer-director Raaj Shaandilyaa of copying his concept for the upcoming Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri starrer Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video. At the press conference, Tiwari asserted that the idea for the film closely mirrors an original idea he had registered prior, raising questions about intellectual property and creative ownership.
At the centre of the dispute is an idea or concept registered by Gulbanu Khan in 2015, titled “Sex Hai Toh Life Hai…?”. Tiwari claims that Shaandilyaa and his team lifted the core concept from this original work. In defence, Raaj Shaandilyaa’s team noted that their own concept was registered in October 2015, attributed to Yusuf Ali Khan and Raaj under the title “Uthal-Poothal.”
However, Tiwari countered this assertion during the press conference. He said, “On 27th October 2015, Yusuf and the team had registered their idea as ‘Uthal-Poothal,’ but I had mine registered on 28th August 2015, a full two months earlier.” He added. “The idea is the most crucial element. Once it’s there, you can spin a script or screenplay around it, but copying the original idea without permission is a serious issue.”
Tiwari has emphasized his long-standing presence in the industry, stating, “I have been in this industry for 20 years, and I hope Raaj investigates his team. I am certain we have plenty of common people.” He expressed disappointment that his creative work has seemingly been appropriated without proper acknowledgment.
When questioned about potential legal action, Tiwari revealed, “I will consider moving to the High Court to ban the film if necessary, but I don’t want to cause harm to anyone. This is about one person copying an idea, but filmmaking involves hard work from many.” He indicated that he is awaiting a response from Raaj’s legal team and hopes for an urgent resolution to the matter.
This isn’t the first time Raaj has been accused of copying ideas. The filmmaker was earlier accused of copying Dream Girl and Janhit Mein Jaari. He faced serious accusations and a police case too.
Tiwari also addressed his interactions with the Screenwriters Association (SWA) regarding the alleged theft of his creative property. He voiced frustration over the SWA’s processes, describing them as outdated and ineffective in handling such disputes. “I approached them, but I was told to wait until after the film’s release to evaluate the situation,” he explained. Tiwari added,“Despite having a massive membership, their work culture is beyond deplorable in this digital age.”
Sanjay Tiwari’s insistence on protecting his original work underscores the critical importance of respecting intellectual property in a highly competitive field.