<p class="title">Budding Marathi director Sarika Mene has alleged the National Award-winning director Shoojit Sircar's latest venture "October" is a copy of her film.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sarika claims the makers of "October" have picked up the main plot point and characters from her 2017 production "Aarti – The Unknown Love Story".</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Varun Dhawan-starrer romantic drama hit the theatres last week.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"When the trailer was out, I did get a gut feeling that it would be same, I was wondering such a big name would not do this to me so I thought it will be (just a) little glance of my film.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"When the film released and I saw it, it was 90 per cent same. He (Shoojit) is such a respected person... I have seen his films like 'Piku', 'Vicky Donor' I was like he has a (story) sense I am shocked he did this," Sarika told PTI.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She first filed a complaint with the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Maha Mandal, that represents Marathi filmmakers, and later approached the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) and Screen Writers Association.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The complaint was filed a week back and so far we have not got any response. I kept quiet because I wanted to know things from him.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I have my evidence, I would want him to show his evidence. I feel there is something wrong as for why he is taking so much time to reply to it ('October') is your baby, you need to respond immediately," she said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Reacting to the claims, Shoojit told PTI, "We have received a letter. And we will surely respond to the letter officially... We will let you know our official statement."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Also, a criminal complaint has been filed against Shoojit and "October" writer Juhi Chaturvedi at the Vile Parle police station, the Marathi director said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sarika said she has been asked to show her film to the associations.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I was pleading with them to see my film first and then watch 'October' and they finally want to see it now. I want justice on the basis of merit. I don't know how much time it will take to sort this thing out," she added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, the director said "October" is a brilliant work.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I am nothing in front of them, I am just a starter. I did this film for my brother, my intention was to talk about causes through cinema.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I appreciate their work. But their claim about the storyline or plotline being imaginary and a work of fiction are wrong, it is a theft. You can't steal anybody's work. There was a way for doing this, you could have taken the rights and made this film," Sarika said.</p>
<p class="title">Budding Marathi director Sarika Mene has alleged the National Award-winning director Shoojit Sircar's latest venture "October" is a copy of her film.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sarika claims the makers of "October" have picked up the main plot point and characters from her 2017 production "Aarti – The Unknown Love Story".</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Varun Dhawan-starrer romantic drama hit the theatres last week.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"When the trailer was out, I did get a gut feeling that it would be same, I was wondering such a big name would not do this to me so I thought it will be (just a) little glance of my film.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"When the film released and I saw it, it was 90 per cent same. He (Shoojit) is such a respected person... I have seen his films like 'Piku', 'Vicky Donor' I was like he has a (story) sense I am shocked he did this," Sarika told PTI.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She first filed a complaint with the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Maha Mandal, that represents Marathi filmmakers, and later approached the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) and Screen Writers Association.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The complaint was filed a week back and so far we have not got any response. I kept quiet because I wanted to know things from him.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I have my evidence, I would want him to show his evidence. I feel there is something wrong as for why he is taking so much time to reply to it ('October') is your baby, you need to respond immediately," she said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Reacting to the claims, Shoojit told PTI, "We have received a letter. And we will surely respond to the letter officially... We will let you know our official statement."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Also, a criminal complaint has been filed against Shoojit and "October" writer Juhi Chaturvedi at the Vile Parle police station, the Marathi director said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sarika said she has been asked to show her film to the associations.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I was pleading with them to see my film first and then watch 'October' and they finally want to see it now. I want justice on the basis of merit. I don't know how much time it will take to sort this thing out," she added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, the director said "October" is a brilliant work.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I am nothing in front of them, I am just a starter. I did this film for my brother, my intention was to talk about causes through cinema.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I appreciate their work. But their claim about the storyline or plotline being imaginary and a work of fiction are wrong, it is a theft. You can't steal anybody's work. There was a way for doing this, you could have taken the rights and made this film," Sarika said.</p>