Boss ka toss?

Amit Khan, a film writer and novelist has filed a case with the Film Writers’ Association, alleging a case of cheating, fraud and breach of trust against actor Akshay Kumar and director Anees Bazmee of Singh is Kinng.

In his letter to the association, Khan has alleged that the story, copyright and intellectual property rights of his novel Boss have been stolen and used in the film Singh is Kinng. “My novel Boss was first published on June 1, 1996. Its second edition was published three years ago and this novel was personally given by me to Akshay Kumar during the shooting of Dhadkhan at Sahar Airport.

The meeting with Akshay Kumar was fixed by his then secretary Vikas Bali along with Sanjay Bali and his present secretary Lokesh Bali,” he said.

Jalees Sherwani, president of the Film Writers’ Association confirmed the news, saying, “Yes, Amit Khan has filed a complaint and very soon the case will be taken up by the dispute committee after which notices will be sent to the respective parties against whom Khan has made allegations.”

Khan has worked with Anees Bazmee as additional screenplay writer on the film Karz-The Burden of Truth. “I was surprised that he has used the story of my novel without even informing me,” Khan added. “I did speak to Anees Bazmee after watching Singh is Kinng on August 10 and told him that the story of the film was lifted from my novel Boss.

All Anees told me is that we would meet and talk, but nothing has happened so far. His attitude was totally nonchalant and non-committal, which has forced me to inform the Association about the plagiarism.”

Khan wants credit for the story of the film and a compensation of Rs 5 crore. He said, “I am a professional writer who has written over 90 novels and my only income is from my writing.”

Writer Anees Bazmee is not surprised. He said, “This is not new, there are a lot of people who will try to associate themselves with somebody else’s success. I have been in this industry for the past 33 years and no one has ever made such allegations against me. I have not even seen the novel he is talking about.”

While Akshay Kumar was unavailable for comment, his business manager Lokesh Bali said, “Amit Khan is a bogus man, how dare he make allegations against my brother the late Vikas Bali and me! Singh is Kinng is purely Anees Bazmee’s idea. All this man is trying to do is gain is publicity for himself.”

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