Sohail Maklai might have heaved a sigh of relief yesterday late evening when the special bench of the Bombay High Court passed the decision that he can release his film ‘Knock Out’.
However the decision comes at a steep cost; Maklai has had to cough up Rs1.5 crore as damages, as the judge ruled that the film was indeed a copy of the Hollywood blockbuster, ‘Phone Booth’, starring Colin Firth.
Our source said, “20th Century Fox had filed the case against the makers of ‘Knock Out’, AAP Entertainment and Sohail Maklai, saying that the film is a remake of their production ‘Phone Booth’. The judge, Roshan Dalvi, watched both the movies on Wednesday and ruled in favour of 20th Century Fox on Thursday, thereby putting a stay on the release of the film. However, the producers of the movie approached a division bench of the HC against the order of single judge. After hearing the case for about an hour and a half, the division bench put a stay on the order passed by the single judge.
The bench directives though made it clear that the relief granted to them was on condition that the producer deposits Rs 1.5 crore with the High Court by October 19 and that they maintain accounts related to business done by the movie. In a rare incident, the court order was passed at 7.45 pm. It means that the film will now release as per schedule, but the original case about the infringement of copyright will continue.”
When contacted, Sohail Maklai, the producer of the film said, “It is a huge relief for us as it was literally a touch and go given that the film releases today. The court has asked us to deposit Rs 1.5 crore with the court registrar, which we will do.” Don’t call the registrar from a phone booth, Maklai!
