Mohanlal, the iconic actor from South India, is set to make his directorial debut with the highly anticipated film Barroz – The Guardian of D’Gama’s Treasure. However, as the film nears its release date on September 12, 2024, it finds itself at the center of a legal controversy. German Malayalam writer George Thundiparambil has sent a legal notice to the filmmakers, alleging copyright infringement and claiming striking similarities between Barroz and his 2008 novel Maya.
The Allegations:
George Thundiparambil alleges that Barroz, which is based on a book by filmmaker Jijo Punnoose, bears an uncanny resemblance to his novel Maya. According to George, both stories are inspired by a popular myth that revolves around a deity named Kapiri Muthappan, who is said to protect hidden treasures in the Kochi Fort for his Portuguese masters. George’s legal notice asserts that the similarities between the two works are too significant to be mere coincidence.
The Backstory:
George’s claims date back to 2016 when a friend of his allegedly shared a copy of Maya with TK Rajeev Kumar, one of the co-writers of Barroz. George states that his friend was informed of the filmmakers’ intention to adapt the story into a feature film. He was also told that the idea would be presented to Jijo Punnoose for further development. However, after this initial interaction, George claims he received no further communication regarding the project and was unaware of any plans to adapt his novel into a film.
Jijo Punnoose’s Departure:
Interestingly, although Barroz is based on Jijo Punnoose’s book, the filmmaker distanced himself from the project in 2022. In a blog post, Jijo revealed that his original script had undergone multiple changes over the years. He initially envisioned the story focusing on a little girl who could see and communicate with the ghost of Kapiri Muthappan. However, in the final version, directed by Mohanlal, the narrative shifted to emphasize the ghost character, played by Mohanlal himself.
George’s Claims and the Legal Notice:
In his legal notice, George argues that the producers have claimed the film is based on Jijo Punnoose’s book, yet he was unable to find this book in the market. After searching, George discovered a few chapters of Jijo’s book published on the Navodaya production group’s website. These chapters, he alleges, are strikingly similar to elements in his novel Maya, including the concept of a girl who can see ghosts.
The timing of Jijo’s book’s publication also raises questions. While George’s Maya was launched by Shashi Tharoor in 2008, Jijo’s book on the same African-Indian-Portuguese myth was published much later, in 2017. George’s legal notice demands that the filmmakers clear the copyright claims before the film’s scheduled release.
Current Status and Implications:
As of now, neither Mohanlal, Jijo Punnoose, TK Rajeev Kumar, nor the film’s producer Antony Perumbavoor have publicly responded to the legal notice. The controversy, if unresolved, could delay the release of Barroz or result in legal action that might impact the film’s distribution.
This legal wrangling casts a shadow over what was supposed to be a milestone in Mohanlal’s illustrious career. The outcome of this dispute will not only affect the release of Barroz but could also set a precedent in the film industry regarding the adaptation of literary works and the importance of securing proper rights before production begins.
The controversy surrounding Barroz – The Guardian of D’Gama’s Treasure serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in adapting literary works into films. As the legal battle unfolds, the film’s fate hangs in the balance, and the industry watches closely to see how this dispute will be resolved. For now, the spotlight remains on Mohanlal and his team as they navigate this challenging situation in the lead-up to the film’s release.
