Recently, the upcoming film Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video (VVKWWV), starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri, has found itself embroiled in controversy despite the positive reception its trailer initially garnered. The film has been hit with allegations of plagiarism, with producer Sanjay Tiwari accusing director Raaj Shaandilyaa of appropriating an idea Tiwari had registered years ago.
During a press conference, Tiwari revealed that he is contemplating legal action, claiming that he had registered his concept for a film in 2015, months before Shaandilyaa. Tiwari voiced concerns over creative ownership, asserting that the premise of VVKWWV bears a striking resemblance to his registered work.
At the center of this dispute is a concept titled Sex Hai Toh Life Hai…?, registered by Gulbanu Khan in 2015 and associated with Tiwari. According to him, Shaandilyaa’s team took the core idea from this work. In their defense, Shaandilyaa’s team maintained that they had submitted their own concept, Uthal-Poothal, in October 2015, citing Raaj and Yusuf Ali Khan as the creators.
Tiwari, however, disputed this claim, stating that his registration occurred on August 28, 2015, predating Shaandilyaa’s submission by two months. He emphasized the importance of intellectual property, remarking that while a script or screenplay can be built around an idea, the initial concept is key and should not be copied without proper credit.
“I’ve been a part of this industry for two decades, and I strongly urge Raaj to investigate the matter within his team,” Tiwari said, highlighting the many industry connections they share. He expressed disappointment, feeling that his hard work had been taken without acknowledgment.
When asked about his next steps, Tiwari hinted at potentially seeking a court injunction to halt the film’s release, though he was reluctant to disrupt the efforts of the entire cast and crew. “This is about one individual taking credit for an idea, but a film involves the work of many,” he noted, expressing a desire for a swift resolution and awaiting a response from Shaandilyaa’s legal team.
This isn’t the first time Raaj Shaandilyaa has faced accusations of plagiarism. In the past, he was accused of lifting ideas for Dream Girl and Janhit Mein Jaari, and even dealt with legal cases over the claims.
Tiwari also mentioned his dealings with the Screenwriters Association (SWA) regarding the alleged theft. He expressed dissatisfaction with the SWA’s methods for addressing such disputes, labeling them outdated and ineffective.