Bengali Filmmaker Claims Vinay Pathak Copied His Idea For Gram Chikitsalay
Bengali Filmmaker Anindya Bikas Datta claims that he shared a similar plot like Gram Chikitsalay with Vinay Pathak several years ago.
A filmmaker from Kolkata has accused actor Vinay Pathak of stealing his story for Prime Video’s upcoming series Gram Chikitsalay. Anindya Bikas Datta, known for his work in the Bengali detective series Kiriti, claims that he shared a similar plot with Pathak several years ago. Datta provided screenshots of their past conversations about a project called Quack Shankar and accused the actor of plagiarising his idea for the upcoming show. According to Datta, the project discussions started positively, as Pathak showed interest in playing the lead role, but the talks ended without any agreement. Now, Datta is alleging that his original concept was taken and used in Gram Chikitsalay.
Taking to Facebook, Dutta wrote, “I am a writer/filmmaker and am a member of SWA. An incident of copyright/IP rights violation has happened with one of my registered screenplays, QUACK SHANKAR. I want to bring this to light and request your action against the same. In January 2021, I had shared the script with renowned actor Vinay Pathak. I had shared the project deck with Mr. Pathak, and the entire SWA registered screenplay, hoping for him to play one of the lead roles. However, he was interested in the lead role while we considered him for the principal antagonist. We promised him if he was interested in pursuing, then we would further build on the antagonist’s role after discussion with him. However, the talks fell through and his involvement with the project did not materialise."
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“However, on viewing the trailer of the upcoming Amazon show, I find that the central storyline of my script and the associated characters have been directly lifted and used in an upcoming show named Gram Chikitsalaya. And surprise, it’s none other than Mr Pathak who is essaying the lead role. Meanwhile, we have been in consultations with other actors and a very renowned actor has shown interest in the lead role of my script and the talks are underway with the producer," Anindya Bikas Datta added.
Dutta explained that Gram Chikitsalay is now set to release on Amazon Prime Video and is made by TVF. He feels that the idea and story have been taken from him, and seeing Vinay Pathak in the lead role has badly hurt his project. Dutta’s own project is still in pre production stage with Raaj Shaandilyaa and Vimal Lahoti’s company, Kathavachak Films, and was announced in 2024. He shared that he has put a lot of time, hard work and money into this project. Dutta believes that copying his story could ruin the chances of his original work, which he feels is unfair and illegal.
Gram Chikitsalay, scheduled to release on May 9, tells the story of Dr Prabhat, played by Amol Parashar, who moves from the city to work at a small health centre in a village. There, he deals with unusual patients and problems of rural life.
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