Before starring as Francesca Bridgerton in Season 3, Hannah Dodd originally auditioned for Daphne Bridgerton.

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The recently released trailer of the upcoming Indian science fiction film Kalki 2898 AD has been embroiled in a plagiarism controversy. Hollywood concept artist Oliver Beck has accused Vyjayanthi Movies, the makers of the Prabhas starrer, of copying his artwork.

Approached for work, then alleged copying
In an exclusive interview with Indian Express, Beck claimed a surprising detail. He said that Vyjayanthi Movies had initially contacted him to potentially work on Kalki 2898 AD. However, discussions fell through. Soon after, upon seeing the film’s trailer released in June 2024, Beck noticed striking similarities to his own work.
Similarities noted by artist community
Beck isn’t alone in his observations. Another Hollywood concept artist, Sung Choi, also took to X (formerly Twitter) to make similar accusations. While Choi later removed his tweet, Beck has maintained his stance. He claims that while some may not find the similarities immediately obvious, the artistic community clearly sees the references.

“It might be difficult to see the plagiarism when you are not an artist,” Beck explained. “But all my artist friends and the community are very clear that this was referenced from my work.” He further added, “The main takeaways are the colour palettes, it is the same, and also the shapes. It is not an exact copy, but the shapes are similar. It is too much of a coincidence because they also contacted me to work on this film. So, they know my portfolio and they have seen my work, so it is too much of a coincidence.”

Sad to see that some of the work I did for Star Trek: Prodigy got stolen by Vyjayanthi movies in their trailer:https://t.co/KWrFKJkksn
This is the matte painting I did for Star Trek under direction of Ben Hibon and Alessandro Taini and then as it appears in the trailer. pic.twitter.com/CYFP008Rd7

— Oliver Beck (@OliverBeckArt) June 13, 2024

Challenges of legal action
Beck acknowledges the difficulty of pursuing legal action. Since his work wasn’t directly copied, it falls outside the scope of copyright protection. He contrasts his situation with Sung Choi’s, where a more blatant case of copying might hold legal ground.
Limited options for artists
Unfortunately, artists often find themselves with limited recourse in such situations. Beck highlights the option of a copyright strike on platforms like YouTube to raise awareness but admits the challenges in achieving a resolution. This is the first time Beck has encountered such a significant case of alleged plagiarism involving his work in the Indian film industry. He has faced minor instances previously, but this incident has left a sour taste.
Impact on perception of Indian film industry
The experience has negatively impacted Beck’s view of working in Indian cinema. He initially saw it as a positive opportunity for diversification, especially during a period of slow work in Hollywood. However, conversations with other artists have painted a concerning picture.

He explained, “As they spend a lot of money on actors, there is no budget left to pay artists, and they resort to plagiarising and doing some cheap work and it is really unpleasant. I spoke to another person who worked on Kalki 2898 AD but they quit after only a week because of a bad work environment. I have received a lot of negative feedback and now I am not interested in working in that industry.”

The accusations against Vyjayanthi Movies remain unaddressed by the production company at this time. Whether the controversy will have any impact on the film’s release is yet to be seen.

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan strikes a pose with the ‘GREATS’ Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone from Kalki 2898 AD event: “Simply intoxicating”

Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s inspiring drama 12th Fail has become a phenomenon. The film, featuring Vikrant Massey and Medha Shankar, has garnered immense appreciation from audiences worldwide and continues to achieve remarkable milestones. In a significant development, Vikrant Massey will be attending the special screening of 12th Fail at the Shanghai Film Festival.

12th Fail has enjoyed a phenomenal theatrical run, lasting an unprecedented six months. This longevity is a testament to the film’s exceptional quality and profound impact on viewers. The movie also celebrated its silver jubilee, marking a record-breaking 25 weeks of theatrical success, solidifying its enduring appeal.

Even after its impressive theatrical run, 12th Fail continued to thrive on digital platforms. It garnered maximum viewership on OTT services, proving to be a successful proposition in the web domain as well. The film’s popularity transcended borders with a massive release in China, where it was showcased on over 20,000 screens. This release further amplified 12th Fail’s global reach and critical acclaim.

The upcoming screening at the Shanghai Film Festival and Vikrant Massey’s attendance are just the latest highlights in the film’s ongoing success story.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna’s 2nd film titled Talakhon Mein Ek

Fate just has a funny way of showing up in our lives.

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The premiere production house Yash Raj Films and OTT platform Netflix can heave a sigh of relief. Today, that is June 21, the Gujarat High Court lifted the stay order on the film Maharaj. The period drama was all set to release on Netflix on June 14. However, just a day before the release, the Gujarat High Court stayed the release.

The trial for the case began on June 19 and was heard on a daily basis. Both sides put forward their points in a detailed manner while arguing the case. The petitioners believed that the film hurts religious sentiments and could cause law and order issues. The advocates representing Yash Raj Films and Netflix reasoned that the film is based on the book ‘Maharaj’ by Saurabh Shah and that this book has been available since 2013 and hasn’t led to any problems. They assured that the film doesn’t depict any religion in a bad light.

One of the major points of the petitioners was that Maharaj was based on the 1862 libel case. The judgment given in this case by the then Supreme Court of Bombay was defamatory. The respondents revealed that the film never shows or reads aloud the judgment though it does depict the trial that took place at that time.

On Wednesday, Justice Sangeeta K Vishen was requested to view the film and she agreed to the plea. Ms Vishen, while giving the judgment on June 21, said that the court didn’t find anything objectionable. She also maintained that the film doesn’t hurt the religious feelings of the petitioners or the Pushtimarg sect. She further remarked that since the time the book ‘Maharaj’ was released, no untoward law and order incident has come to light. She added that even the petitioners have not placed any such incident on record.

As a result, Justice Sangeeta K Vishen decided to vacate the stay order and allowed Netflix to stream the film.

Set in 1862, Maharaj is based on the Maharaj Libel Case fought between a prominent religious figure and Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer, in the Supreme Court of Bombay. According to the press statement released by the makers, it was one of the most significant legal battles of all time. Besides Junaid Khan, Maharaj also stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Shalini Pandey with Sharvari in a cameo. It is directed by Siddharth P Malhotra of Hichki (2018) fame.

Also Read: Junaid Khan faced SEVEN REJECTIONS, including his dad Aamir Khan’s film Laal Singh Chaddha

Kill, starring the newest face of action Lakshya, is scheduled for theatrical release on July 5. It is not widely known that the actor has a wrestling background and underwent a rigorous 9-month training regimen for the film. Kill, starring Lakshya, will be released in Indian cinemas on July 5 2024.

The movie which previously premiered at the Toronto Film Festival has been praised critically for its gripping storyline and intense action sequences. Former high school wrestling champion Lakshya went on a transformative journey to portray the role of an elite commando in this action-packed movie. He dedicated himself to 8-9 months of intensive training, drawing on his wrestling background to enhance his performance.

This intense preparation not only shaped him into a versatile actor but also highlighted his commitment to authentically embodying the role. Reflecting on his journey, Lakshya emphasized, “Throughout this journey when I was like 17 – 18, I started off as a wrestler. I did a couple of wrestling during my school days and during this film as well we trained for eight or nine months consecutively. So of course, like a lot of training has gone into it.”

The recently released trailer of Kill narrates the story of a gripping struggle for survival on a fast-moving express train. Lakshya and his girlfriend, Tanya Maniktala, confront a harrowing assault by an armed group, while the tension escalates with the arrival of Raghav Juyal in the role of the antagonist. Lakshya plays a soldier fighting to protect his beloved from the group of goons.
ALSO READ: 20 Years of Lakshya: When Farhan Akhtar said Hrithik Roshan-starrer was close to his heart: “That film, in terms of what it stood for, and as a production achievement”

Actor Regina Cassandra has announced her collaboration with director Gopichand Malineni’s upcoming project, tentatively titled SDGM, alongside veteran actor Sunny Deol. The actress, renowned for her impactful roles and versatile performances, took to Instagram to express her enthusiasm for this new venture under the banner of Mythri Movie Makers.

Regina Cassandra, in her heartfelt Instagram post, marked the occasion of the film’s launch with a message of optimism and adventure, “To new beginnings and new adventures! Kickstarting a very exciting project on an auspicious note with more than legendary company.”

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A post shared by RegenaCassandrra (@reginaacassandraa)

The actress, adorned in a resplendent golden-hued saree in the photographs she shared, exudes elegance and hints at a character that is sure to captivate audiences. The official launch event held in Hyderabad was a momentous occasion, attended by the esteemed presence of Sunny Deol and Saiyami Kher.

With shooting slated to begin on June 22, 2024, the film is poised to unfold under the skilled direction of Gopichand Malineni, known for his adept handling of commercial entertainers.

Produced by Mythri Movie Makers in collaboration with People Media Factory, SDGM boasts an impressive ensemble behind the scenes as well. The musical score will be orchestrated by the acclaimed composer S Thaman, known for his ability to elevate narratives through his music. Rishi Punjabi, serving as the cinematographer, brings his visual storytelling expertise to capture the essence of the film, while Avinash Kolla, as the art director, promises to create immersive cinematic landscapes.
ALSO READ: Saiyami Kher shares her excitement as she joins Sunny Deol for Gopichand Malineni’s film; says, “It is an incredible honor and a dream come true”