Script writer moves HC claiming copyright on 'Desiboyz' title

A month before its release, Rohit Dhawan's movie Desiboyz has embroiled into a legal battle with a Latur-based script writer and director approaching the Bombay High Court claiming copyright on the title of the flick.

Shyam Devkatte in his petition before the high court has claimed that he had registered the title Desiboys with the Film Writers Association in September 2009.

"I had along with the title also a written a script which I forwarded to two associates of Rohit Dhawan. Recently I saw the promo of the Rohit's movie of the same title as mine," Devkatte said.

The script writer claims that soon after seeing the promo he tried contacting Rohit but was abused on the phone and threatened.

Devkatte had on October 14 lodged a complaint with suburban Amboli police and filed a private complaint before a metropolitan magistrate's court against Rohit and the producers of the movie under the Copyright Act.

Claiming that no action has been taken either by police or the lower court, Devkatte filed a petition before the high court seeking criminal action against Rohit and the producers of the movie under the Copyright Act and under various sections of IPC for cheating, fraud and criminal intimidation.

The petition also seeks a stay on the movie's release besides reasonable damage and compensation.

Justice AM Thipsay has posted the matter for hearing on Friday (October 28).

Desiboyz starring Akshay Kumar, John Abraham and Deepika Padukone is Rohit Dhawan's directorial debut slated for release on November 25.