New 'Zanjeer' must have consent from original makers: Farhan

Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, whose father and writer Javed is embroiled in a legal battle with those remaking 'Zanjeer', says it is important to take the consent of those associated with the original and wishes that the deserving party gets the royalty.

The remake of Amitabh Bachchan-Jaya starrer has been in the eye of storm regarding copyright and royalty issues. Both Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar who scripted the original, have been fighting for intellectual rights of the new version.

With Apoorva Lakhia-directed remake underway, the veteran writers had moved the Bombay High Court in April, seeking a stay order on the release of the film. And now the matter is pending in the Supreme court.

"What I know is its (the matter) in court and some arbitration. I feel whoever is right or deserves to be given the rights or given royalties will get it," Farhan told PTI.

"The matter is between him and Salim uncle and the producers of that film. I am no one to comment on the matter. I was not privy to what happened when they wrote the script and what is happening with the producers," he said.

Earlier, the writer duo had complained to the Film Writers Association demanding Rs six crore from the makers, arguing that the remake cannot be released without the original scriptwriters' consent.

Considering that Farhan did direct the remake version of Amitabh's 'Don' with Shah Rukh Khan and even went to make a sequel, he says, "I think its important to take consent of those associated with the project while making a remake. We did it.
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Telugu actor Ram Charan, son of Chiranjeevi, will step into Big B's shoes, while Priyanka Chopra will reprise the role of Jaya Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt will play the iconic role of Sher Khan, originally played by noted actor Pran.

The remake version is produced by Amit Mehra, son of Prakash Mehra, the producer and director of the 1973 superhit film.