Puri & Plagiarism: A Serious Debate

Director Puri Jagannath raised dubious argument by saying, ‘there is nothing wrong in lifting songs, scenes or to that matter a full picture itself from other language films.’ None knows what made him say, ‘the camera we are using is not a Telugu one. The equipment we are using is not from the State. So, what happens if we pick one song from some where?’

Films are judged on what appears before audience and not the equipment. But, Plagiarism is ‘Absolutely Acceptable’ must be the intention of Puri. Fine…the point is whether or not he agrees but argument by a media member goes like Puri’s intention is ‘I have lifted songs and films earlier and will do the same in future.’ This kind of attitude does not stand in good stead because Copycats cannot sustain for long.

His other view of people liking only violence, mafia, guns and grenades will have no takers. Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan faced music for handling guns in real life. In fact, youth are more interested in love, romance and comedy. If Ramgopal Varma inspired him in a telephone conversation that Mumbai needs Don as violence scaled down in metropolis and that resulted in making of ‘Businessman,’ then let it be so.

Mumabi has its share of violence and its own form of mafia even today. Whatever may be the conclusion of Puri and Varma. The gunning down of senior journalist JJ Dey is a recent example to call the bluff of Puri. Matter of fact that films like ‘Journey,’ ‘Seventh Sense’ and ‘Dirty Picture’ too are doing well and soft films like ‘Koththa Bangaru Lokam’ created a new trend while ‘Bezawada’ was dumped without any mercy. Puri’s analysis or his opinion of youth asking for violence, guns and bullets or a person who says that he can copy anything from anywhere need not be taken seriously and is definitely debatable.

To put the record straight, Puri can direct films of his choice. But it is unfair on his part to justify Plagiarism and try to rub his expertise in the form of violence as the taste of youth.