Conscience clear, 'Gulabo Sitabo' is my original work: Writer Juhi Chaturvedi on plagiarism allegation

The allegation has been levelled by late writer Rajeev Agarwal's son Akira who claimed his father had submitted the story of 'Gulabo Sitabo' in a contest known as 'Cinestaan India’s Storyteller Script Contest' promoted by The Screenwriters Association (SWA), a Trade Union of screenwriters and lyricists who work for Films, TV and Digital Media in India.

Chaturvedi was one of the jury members in the contest.

However, Chaturvedi claimed she had shared the idea of a crooked old man with Bachchan who had liked the idea and then asked her to develop it.

The writer also claimed she had no access to Akira's script in the contest.

Issuing a statement, Chaturvedi said, "My conscience is clear and so are the facts in this matter. Gulabo Sitabo is my original work and I am proud of it. I shared the idea with the director and lead actor of the film in early 2017. I subsequently registered the concept note for the film in May 2018.

I also must clarify the speculations around my conduct as a jury member for Cinestaan’s contest. I had no access to the so-called infringed script at any point in time, as alleged. This fact has been independently confirmed by Cinestaan as well. Even the SWA, who has looked at this dispute in May, 2020, decided in my favour."

Backing Chaturvedi's comment, chairperson of the contest’s jury, Anjum Rajabali, said, "It has come to our notice that there are some reports in the mainstream as well as social media about allegations that Juhi Chaturvedi, the screenwriter of the soon-to-be-released film, ‘Gulabo Sitabo’ has plagiarized the script, ’16, Mohandas Lane’, written by late Rajeev Aggarwal.

While it is true that '16, Mohandas Lane’ was submitted to the first edition of the Cinestaan India’s Storytellers Script Contest of which Juhi Chaturvedi was one of the jury members, we want to clarify that she had absolutely no access to this particular script."

Cinestaan Contest vice president, Ritika Soni, said, "The script in question was not part of the final eight sent to any of the other jury members, including Juhi Chaturvedi at any point of time as confirmed by Anjum Rajabali.”

The producer of 'Gulabo Sitabo', Ronnie Lahiri, said, "Clearly the allegers are upset as the SWA decision didn’t go in their favor. Releasing the notice to the press, harassing Juhi and the Gulabo Sitabo producers on social media, seems to be a deliberate attempt to malign Juhi and damage the film. At this time, when we have taken the bold decision to release the film on OTT, these baseless allegations only create unnecessary controversy."

As all cinema halls are closed due to Covid-19 spread and its subsequent lockdown, the makers of 'Gulabo Sitabo' have decided to premiere the film on the digital platform.

The film, which has been directed by Shoojit Sircar, is slated to release on Amazon Prime Video on Jul 12.