The Tollywood film industry was recently rocked with startling claims by an associate director Rajesh Manduri that Megastar Chiranjeevi’s Acharya’s storyline was copied by the movie’s director Koratala Siva. Now, another plagiarism controversy is reaching boiling point. Writer Vempalli Gangadhar has claimed that stylish star Allu Arjun’s ‘Pushpa’ which is being directed by Sukumar is his idea. The writer has reportedly raised the issue with the Telugu Film Writer’s Association which is looking into it.
According to Vempalli Gangadhar, his story was published long back in Sakshi Telugu daily with the title ‘Tamila Coolie’. He alleged that Sukumar developed his ‘Pushpa’ story inspired by that story. It is to be noted that Vempalli Gangadhar is a recipient of the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Academy’s first Yuva Puraskar.
‘Tamila Coolie’ story is based on those who smuggle Red sandalwood from forests. Gangadhar took to Facebook to level allegations against Director Sukumar. He said that he does not seek to disgrace someone or create a controversy, but only seeks respect from the industry and get creative people from Tollywood think twice before they copy ideas of others.
“I only would like to put my work before people. They will judge if the story is a copy or not. Whether you take it as an advice or suggestion, please do understand the agony of a creative writer. You please use our works, but also give proper credits” said the writer in his post.
He also suggested a few of his works asking the filmmakers to ‘lift’ from those stories. “You film people flourish with our sweat and blood. You lift our ideas without even giving us due credits. You grow by crushing us. Even if you get coronavirus, let us know. We will donate our plasmas and help to save your lives” decried the national award winning writer in his Facebook post.
Gangadhar had earlier alleged that Director Trivikram Srinivas lifted a story from his novel ‘Mondi Kathi’ but gave no credit.
