Atlee, the acclaimed director behind blockbuster films like “Jawan” and “Raja Rani,” has long grappled with accusations of plagiarism throughout his career. The filmmaker’s creative choices in movies, particularly “Raja Rani” being likened to Mani Ratnam’s “Mouna Ragam,” and the alleged resemblances between “Jawan” and several Tamil films, have sparked debates within the industry.
In an interview with Indian Express, Atlee offered insights into the persistent allegations. He explained, “When I did Raja Rani, I wanted to address the increasing number of shattered families. But there was already a milestone film (Mouna Ragaam)… So, at one point, I thought that I shouldn’t do a film that’s even a bit similar to others. However, there’s not a single story that hasn’t been done before.”
Atlee vehemently defended his creative process, emphasizing that he invests genuine effort and sincerity into his scripts. He expressed dismay at instant comparisons made between his films and others, refuting the notion that his dedication and hard work merely replicate existing content. He acknowledged instances where his films shared storylines with others, citing “Theri” as an example that underwent revisions before and after its release.
Addressing the broader context of creative fields, Atlee underscored that similar themes might emerge but maintained that inspiration doesn’t equate to plagiarism. He referenced inspiration drawn from MGR (Ramachandran) songs for his film intros and stressed the inevitability of encountering similar narratives in a creative space.
Moreover, Atlee hinted at a group intent on undermining his success, attributing criticisms to those seeking to discredit his achievements. He highlighted the uphill battles faced by other stalwarts like Rajinikanth, Vijay, and Ajith, implying that such scrutiny is part of the industry’s challenges.
“A huge set of people want some weapon to hit me. My film has become a hit… so they can’t say anything about it. It has earned money too… so can’t say anything about that as well. So, what’s the one way to bring me down? Mostly, such criticisms only come from this set of people. It is because of the thought, ‘He shouldn’t win’. Do you think Rajinikanth sir or Vijay sir or Ajith sir didn’t have this problem? We have to fight and move on. Will Shah Rukh sir call me without knowing all this?” he concluded.
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