Hari Puttar ~ A Comedy of Terrors
Well, here comes the next lawsuit by WB!
It's all about a movie from India's Bollywood called Hari Puttar ~ A Comedy of Terrors. The plot synopsis is HERE. It sounds something like Home Alone. The release date is coming soon, September 12, so I wonder if this will be settled by then? The name could be seen as a parody.
Hollywood Reporter says:
NEW DELHI -- Warner Bros. has filed a lawsuit against Mumbai-based banner Mirchi Movies related to the title of its upcoming movie "Hari Puttar -- A Comedy of Terrors," which Warners feels is a tad too similar to its "Harry Potter" franchise.
The case is being heard in the Bombay High Court and comes up for hearing Monday, while "Hari Puttar" is slated for a Sept. 12 release.
"We have recently commenced proceedings against parties involved in the production and distribution of a movie entitled 'Hari Puttar,' " London-based Warners spokeswoman Deborah Lincoln told The Hollywood Reporter. "Warner Bros. values and protects intellectual property rights. However, it is our policy not to discuss publicly the details of any ongoing litigation."
The Hari Puttar name began making the rounds here as a comic gag when the first "Harry Potter" film was released. "Hari" is a popular Indian name while "Puttar" means "son" in the Punjabi language.
"Since the case is sub-judice we can't comment as of now," Mirchi Movies CEO Munish Purii said Friday. "However, we registered the 'Hari Puttar' title in 2005 and it's unfortunate that Warner has chosen to file a case so close to our film's release. In my opinion, I don't think our title has any similarity or links with 'Harry Potter.' "
"Hari Puttar" is directed by Rajesh Bajaj and Lucky Kohli and stars veteran actor Jackie Shroff, Saurabh Shukla and actress Sarika.
