Court allows remake of Marathi play Sahi re Sahi

The City Civil court on Thursday ruled in favour of Pune-based Suyog Sanstha,allowing it to make a remake of famous Marathi play Sahi re Sahi. Lata Narvekar,who had financed and handled the production of writer Kedar Shinde’s play for over seven years since 2002,had moved the Civil Court after Suyog Sanstha announced a relaunch of the play — this time titled as Punha Sahi re Sahi.

According to Narvekar,the director had sold the rights of the play to her and hence she owned the exhibition rights in Marathi or in any other language,if the play was ever remade. “The Sanstha claimed that there is a slight alteration in the remake,but the only change we see is the title. However,the court observed that under Copyright Act,a remake is possible after five years,if the contract makes no mention of stipulated period for which the rights are sold. We will challenge the order in High court,” said Advocate A L gore.

Suyog Sanstha had challenged the authencity of the documents submitted in the court by Narvekar. “Not even one original copy is produced before the court. If the plaintiff is challenging the reporduction of the play,they should provide the original document which restricts anyone from remaking the play,” the Sanstha argued.

Punha Sahi re Sahi is scheduled to be exhibited at Gandharva Rang Mandir,Pune,on August 1.