Chopra denies charges of plagiarism by 20th Century Fox

Fox has sought compensation of Rs 7 crore as damages and an injunction against the film’s release.

Producer Ravi Chopra said that his company had approached 20th Century Fox two years ago for the story idea of ‘My Cousin Vinny’ and his desire to Indianise it.

“We have a written permission from the company and it was aware about the production of our movie way back since October 2007,” Chopra said.

He said he was shocked to see that the Hollywood major has been quiet on this for two years and have now picked up the matter. “This is something one does not really expect from a reputed company like 20th Century Fox,” he said.

He denied allegations that his film is an adaptation of the Hollywood film,saying,”We have made an original movie with different characters,treatments,backdrops by Indianising the idea of ‘My Cousin Vinny’ within permissible

limits.”

B R Films CEO Sanjay Bhutiani,also expressed surprise at the unexpected move of the Hollywood company.

“We have no idea why they are doing this. Their allegation that we have copied the original is not true and demanding compensation of Rs 7 crore is unfair,” he said.