Maverick filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has been imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakhs by the Delhi high court for remaking the 1975 iconic hit Sholay and violating the copyrights held by Ramesh Sippy who is the director of the original version. Few months ago, a lawsuit was filed by the grandson of the Sholay’s producers alleging that RGV has viloated the exclusive copyright vested with the Sholay Media and Entertainment Ltd.
After taking a due consideration into the copyrights ,the court has directed the concerned authorities to issue the order to RGV and his production house and restrained them from using any character from Sholay in future as well. The order said ‘the publicity material coupled with the impunged film, gives an overall impression that it a remake of the film Sholay’.