Key Facts
Director Suman Ghosh has publicly accused veteran Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee of using character elements from his unproduced script 'Star' in the recently released film 'Abhiman'. The accusation was made via a Facebook post on June 19, the day of the film's release. Ghosh shared an email he sent to Chatterjee on June 17, outlining his grievances. Chatterjee responded on Facebook, denying the allegations and asserting that 'Abhiman' is an original project.
Details of the Allegation
In his Facebook post, Suman Ghosh explained that he had been in discussions with Prosenjit Chatterjee for two and a half years about a film tentatively titled 'Star'. The script featured a dual look for the protagonist: one as a young superstar and another as an aged, frail version. Ghosh claimed that the trailer and clips of 'Abhiman' showed striking similarities, including:
- Two distinct looks for the lead: a superstar and an aged version.
- The superstar suddenly disappearing.
- Living in a dilapidated house after disappearance.
- Wheelchair scenes due to a brain ailment.
- Breaking a picture of his younger self.
- A trusted manager character.
Ghosh stated that he had even asked Chatterjee to watch Netflix's 'Elvis' as homework for the role. He expressed deep hurt over what he perceived as a breach of trust and ethical conduct.
Prosenjit Chatterjee's Response
Prosenjit Chatterjee responded on Facebook, saying, "I have the utmost respect for Suman as a filmmaker. In our industry, creative lines often cross because we are all drawing from universal human emotions and themes. However, Abhiman is a fully independent, legally registered project crafted by our director Indraadip Dasgupta and writer Srijato. As an actor, my job is to breathe life into the script handed to me. There was absolutely no intent to compromise anyone's creative trust, and I wish Suman nothing but the best."
Impact and Reactions
The controversy has sparked debate within the Bengali film industry about intellectual property and ethical conduct. Ghosh emphasized that his issue is not legal but moral, questioning the integrity of established artists. He warned that such actions could discourage new filmmakers from trusting senior actors. The audience is now left to judge whether the similarities are coincidental or deliberate.
FAQ
What did Suman Ghosh accuse Prosenjit Chatterjee of?
Suman Ghosh alleged that Prosenjit Chatterjee used the character design from his script 'Star' in the film 'Abhiman' without permission.
How did Prosenjit Chatterjee respond?
Prosenjit denied the allegations, stating that 'Abhiman' is an independent project and that he merely acted as per the script.
What evidence did Suman Ghosh provide?
Suman Ghosh shared an email he sent to Prosenjit on June 17, detailing six specific similarities between his script and the film's trailer.