The director of robot film attached assets worth more than Rs 10 crore, allegations of literary theft – ryan
The ED has attached assets worth more than Rs 10 crore from the director of the film Anthiran (Robot). ED officials said on Thursday that this action has been taken under the law PMLA to prevent money laundering on charges of copyright violations. Action is taken under the PMLA on violation of Section 63 of the Copyright Act 1957.
PTI, New Delhi. The ED has attached assets worth more than Rs 10 crore from the director of the film Anthiran (Robot). ED officials said on Thursday that this action has been taken under the law PMLA to prevent money laundering on charges of copyright violations. Action is taken under the PMLA on violation of Section 63 of the Copyright Act, 1957.
Shankar’s three immovable properties attached
According to officials, this is probably a case of attachment of property in the country under PMLA on copyright violations while making a film. The ED said in the statement that under PMLA, Film Director S.K. Provisional order to attach three immovable properties of Shankar was issued on 17 February. The total value of these properties is Rs 10.11 crore.
The author of a story called Jiguba had filed a complaint
A complaint was filed against Shankar in a court in Agmore, Chennai by Arur Tamil Nadan, author of a story called Jiguba. Based on this, the ED had registered a case of money laundering.
Robot’s story accused of copying
The complaint alleges that the story of Tamil film Anthiran (Robot) directed by Shankar was copied from Jiguba. He accused Shankar of violating some sections of the Copyright Act, 1957 and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Anthiran was released in 2010. It featured Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai in the lead roles. The film grossed Rs 290 crore worldwide. The film was a blockbuster film of the time.
The ED said that the investigation revealed that Shankar received a remuneration of Rs 11.5 crore for his contribution to Anthiran including Story, Screen, Dialogue and Direction. The report of the Indian Film and Television Institute (FTII) also found surprising similarities between the story of Jiguba and the film Anthiran.
Shankar violates Section 63 of the Copyright Act, 1957- ED
On the basis of adequate evidence and available records, the ED said that Shankar has violated Section 63 of the Copyright Act, 1957. This violation is now classified as a scheduled offense under the PMLA. This means that Section 63 of the Copyright Act, 1957 takes action under the PMLA.