In 2015, Satish Chandra, a Telugu novelist, moved the City Civil Court in Nampally alleging that the storyline/premise/core plot of Mahesh Babu's 'Srimanthudu' was a copy from his novel 'Chacchenta Prema'. The Court then issued a notice to the producers of 'Srimanthudu' as well as to director Koratala Siva. In 2016, the 'Acharya' director said that he never resorts to plagiarism. "Both the novel and my film are there for scrutiny. People can decide things for themselves," he said.
The city civil court's order made Koratala Siva move the Telangana High Court at that time. The HC felt that 'Srimanthudu' was a work of plagiarism. The 'Devara' director then appealed to the Supreme Court.
On Monday, as per media reports, the apex court stated that Koratala Siva is liable for plagiarism. It has to be seen what sections of the relevant legislation will be invoked against him.
In the past, films like 'Balagam' were in the thick of controversies on similar grounds. In the case of 'Balagam', director Venu Yeldandi said that mere resemblance to a plot point doesn't tantamount to plagiarism. The person making the allegation couldn't pursue any legal recourse.
