MUMBAI: In a case of a grotesque role reversal, it has been learnt that a Turkish film is allegedly inspired from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2005 emotional drama, ‘Black’.
Usually, Indian filmmakers have been accused of being “heavily inspired” by their Western counterparts. This process of borrowing is known as ‘lifting’ in industry circles. But recently, a trailer for a Turkish film, ‘Benim Dünyam’, produced by TMC Films, has kicked up a storm in Bollywood circles, for bearing an uncanny resemblance to Bhansali’s seminal classic.
TOTAL RECALL:
‘Black’ was a songless film starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee, and was reportedly based on the life of Helen Keller. However, in true desi fashion, Bhansali did not give credit to several scenes he had allegedly “lifted” from a certain Hollywood film (The 1962 classic ‘The Miracle Worker’)
It can be agreed upon that the film (WATCH TRAILER HERE) looks like a direct derivation of ‘Black’. Several scenes really do incite a sense of deja vu, right from the young deaf and blind girl’s struggle, to her parents’ concern for her, to her sister’s unspoken jealousy and of course the teacher whom she owed her education to.
“This story is about my teacher and me,” say the subtitles. Much like what ‘Black’ was about.
The film releases on 25 October, 2013.
BHANSALI AGHAST:
Representatives from Bhansali’s camp spoke about the filmmaker being shocked at the development. A spokesperson said, “We are aghast. There were no remake rights purchased. Mr Bhansali is shocked by this act of blatant plagiarism as no communication whatsoever was directed to us before they went ahead with the film.”
Speaking of the fact that they are yet to track down the film’s makers, she added: “As of now, we are trying to locate them, and only then will we decide on the kind of action that has to be taken.”
