Court passed order after hearing an IPR case filed by director Rajendra Singh Babu, who claims to legally own the title.
Published Jan 20, 2023 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 20, 2023 | 8:00 AM
'Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye' is back in news again after filmmaker a Bengaluru court restrained use of the film's title. (Twitter)
Actor-politician Ramya, who recently turned producer with her maiden venture Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, starring Raj B Shetty and Siri Ravikumar, is back in the news over a row over the film’s title.
Noted filmmaker SV Rajendra Singh Babu, who knocked on the doors of the courts, has said that the City Civil and Sessions Court, Bengaluru, passed an order in his favour and has restrained anyone from using the title.
Rajendra Singh Babu filed a case under the Intellectual Property Rights, citing that he solely owned the film’s title and no other party could use it without his prior permission.
He made Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Sri Jayadurga movies, and the Central Board of Film Certification parties in his plea before the court.
Bengaluru court restrained the use of ‘Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye’ movie title. (Supplied)
Soon after the court’s order, the director told the media that as per the IPR, “I own the title which is taken from the popular song Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye from my movie Bannada Gejje released in 1990. I am the producer and the director of the film.”
He also claimed that he made a movie in the past with the same title (Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye).
“None other than Dr Rajkumar had clapped for the muhurat shot of the film. We finished 80 percent of the shooting. It featured the late Dr Ambareesh and Suhasini in the lead roles,” said Rajendra Singh Babu.
However, due to some issues, the movie could not be completed.
“As Ambareesh passed away, I thought of introducing fresh faces, including Ambareesh’s son Abhishek in the lead role. Against this backdrop, how can another movie be permitted with the same title,” he questioned.
A poster of Ramya’s upcoming film ‘Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye’ which ran into a row over its title. (Twitter)
Meanwhile, producer BK Gangadhar had the title registered with the KFCC and expressed his willingness to transfer the rights to Ramya, who launched her maiden project with the same title.
Following this, Rajendra Singh Babu averred that the film body had no right to allow the transfer of title which, in reality, is rightfully and legally his.
“There is no clarity over the rules and regulations set by the KFCC. In my case, there will be a new insight into the movie’s title registration. This certainly will invite a new debate on the whole process of title registration,” he pointed out.
He even expressed displeasure over the production house (Ramya’s Apple Box Studios) which is making the movie with the title.
“No one ever approached me before using the title. It is nothing but the audacity and carelessness of a new generation of filmmakers.”
Also, he clarified that he would not let go of his title at any cost and would complete his movie as planned with the same title in the coming days.
A poster of Ramya’s upcoming film ‘Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye’ . (Twitter)
Meanwhile, producer Gangadhar, who claims to own the title, told South First that he will discuss the issue with the KFCC and then think about approaching the court in the matter.
“I registered the title just like how every movie in the Kannada film industry has been getting it done, as per the rules and regulations of the film chamber. Even Rajendra Singh Babu got the titles of his previous movie registered in the same manner,” he said.
“Moreover, my banner is Sri Jagadguru Movies and not as mentioned in the order copy circulated by the director. When I faced a similar issue in the past, the court passed orders in my favour,” Gangadhar contended.
He also wondered why the filmmaker was making this a huge issue despite being aware of the title process.
