Pubali Chaudhury: I Will Never Work With Gattu Again
Here's the latest update from the world of Bollywood. We bet you wouldn't want to miss this. Read on for details... Lesson learnt
Scriptwriter Pubali Chaudhuri is "shocked and hurt" over the fact that filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor (Gattu, as he is fondly called) will be credited as a co-writer of Rock On!! 2, following an out-of-court settlement in his favour. In March this year, Gattu moved court against the film's producers Excel Entertainment, demanding credit as a scriptwriter. While Pubali was hopeful of a verdict in her favour, the 'settlement twist' changed everything overnight. In an exclusive interview with SpotboyE, she opens up about the entire controversy. Excerpts...
Were you hurt when the Bombay High Court ruled in Gattu's favour?
Firstly, the case never went into trial. All parties concerned decided to sign a decree of consent, which is like a settlement agreement. In that sense, neither party 'won' or 'lost'. Nobody wants to be entangled in long drawn-out disputes. Once I digested the terms of settlement, I just felt a huge sense of relief. I congratulated Ritesh (Sidhwani, producer) and Shujaat (Saudagar, director) for having a dispute-free film. As I walked out of the High Court premises on October 23, I called home and told my mom, 'It's done with'.
Were you expecting this outcome?
I knew all along that settlement was a possibility. This entire issue arose when the producers and Gattu had a fallout and it was decided that he would not be a part of the sequel. Whatever his demands were - be it monetary settlement or credit as a co-writer -- he needed to settle it with the producers. I was simply defending the fact that I am the designated writer of Rock On!! 2; I have been consistently doing all the writing for the past four years. I was always aware that Excel and Gattu may arrive at an understanding at which point my fight would become redundant, because I am not in a position to decide or accord credit in a film. That is the producers' prerogative.
What was your reaction to the episode?
After months of waiting, the case finally went into hearing when I was in Shillong to attend the shoot of Rock On!! 2. After day one, I was informed that the Judge had dismissed Gattu's claim that he owns the copyright of Rock On!!. His claim of screenplay authorship was also dismissed. All that remained to be investigated was his contribution to the sequel's story.
I was initially told that my authorship will be defended in the court, but that stance changed overnight. That was a bit shocking.
Image source: twitter/ShraddhaKapoor
And then?
I was torn and confused when I returned to Mumbai from Shillong. But I sought counsel from senior colleagues and friends and decided that in the interest of the film, it's best to agree to the settlement.
Did you speak to Ritesh and Farhan (Akhtar)? What was their reaction?
As co-defendants, Excel was aware of every development in the case. Also, it was Ritesh who informed me that the Judge had suggested a settlement and their legal counsel had advised them in favour of it. So, I did not have to inform them.
Image source: boxofficeindia
Do you plan to move a higher court?
No, I have signed an agreement, so there is nothing left to contest. I would rather devote my energy on writing my next script. Besides, since the producers are okay with settlement, it would be futile on my part to carry on with the fight. Every writer's contract states that the producer is free to appoint an additional writer if he/she wants to.
Rock On!!, I suppose, was the first film you wrote for Gattu, right?
Yes, the factor that makes this entire case even more complex is that all three parties concerned go back a long time. I have been working with Gattu from 2006 to 2012... six years and we have two films between us -- Rock On!! and Kai Po Che.
When he didn't give you credit as the co-writer of Rock On!!, why did you agree to work with him on the sequel?
It's not that simple a case. Gattu hired me to write the screenplay of Rock On!! in 2006. When he signed up with Excel in 2007, I was unaware that he had not mentioned my name as the writer. I was just happy that the project I was working on had found a producer. Subsequently, I was given a second credit for screenplay and frankly, I didn't know any better.
However, during the film's release, I realised that he was claiming to be its writer without even once acknowledging that I have written the screenplay. There was no mention of a co-writer in the publicity material or in his media interviews. I was hurt and told him so, but he brushed it off saying he wasn't responsible for what journalists write.
Image source: cuttingthechai
So, it was a mistake working with him again...
I will admit that I made a mistake. I hoped he would recognise my contribution to the film. Alas!
What went wrong between Gattu and you?
Directors wield a lot more power than screenwriters. As a new entrant in the industry, I felt wary of being seen as a troublemaker and did not register my protest publicly. Maybe that was my fault. But my silence was looked upon as a weakness.
Did you speak to Gattu when he filed the court case this time?
No, he and I have different social circles. So unlike my producers, I never run into him at some party. Our professional relationship had an unpleasant end concerning the sequel and also another project, where he hired me in his capacity as a producer, but is yet to pay my dues. We have not been in touch since then.
Would you ever work with him again?
Well, maybe we will find life on another planet... who knows ? There are divorces which are not always disrespectful and after the initial hurt, people do remain friends. Gattu and I have gone through a messy professional divorce. In fact, at this point of time, I am unsure whether it's worth continuing a career in the mainstream film industry, given what it costs your soul. But my passion for cinema and writing is still very much alive.
It must be depressing for writers to continuously be denied credits...How did you deal with the case at an emotional and mental level?
The past month has probably been the most stressful one, professionally. It almost broke me to see that the very people who know my work intimately are the ones who will not think twice before hurting and humiliating me. But I am a survivor, so I know I will walk on. A clean conscience goes a long way in resurrecting you.
What have you learnt from this experience?
I have decided to say a blanket 'No' to projects that offer 'co-writing' with directors. Co-writing requires mutual understanding, same wavelength, common aesthetics and at least an overlapping worldview. Writing is a very personal process that leaves you naked and even vulnerable --- you cannot attempt that with someone who is merely a professional acquaintance. In short, I am looking for a human connection before I can attempt a professional one. That has been my learning from this case.
What are you working on now?
I want to attempt meaningful cinema. I am very clear when I meet potential directors or producers that when they work with me, they hire a mind, not simply my language or typing skills. It is no surprise then, that I am currently unemployed and might continue to be so in the foreseeable future. But my writing philosophy apart, I am currently in the last stages of script consultancy on an Anil Kapoor Production's project. I am quite excited about writing a spec script -- one that has not been commissioned by a producer -- with a friend and colleague. Also, I am dying to write my own scripts, irrespective of how they fare on the 'commercial viability' scale.
Thumbnail Image Source: aditebanerjie and topnews
Were you hurt when the Bombay High Court ruled in Gattu's favour?
Firstly, the case never went into trial. All parties concerned decided to sign a decree of consent, which is like a settlement agreement. In that sense, neither party 'won' or 'lost'. Nobody wants to be entangled in long drawn-out disputes. Once I digested the terms of settlement, I just felt a huge sense of relief. I congratulated Ritesh (Sidhwani, producer) and Shujaat (Saudagar, director) for having a dispute-free film. As I walked out of the High Court premises on October 23, I called home and told my mom, 'It's done with'.
Were you expecting this outcome?
I knew all along that settlement was a possibility. This entire issue arose when the producers and Gattu had a fallout and it was decided that he would not be a part of the sequel. Whatever his demands were - be it monetary settlement or credit as a co-writer -- he needed to settle it with the producers. I was simply defending the fact that I am the designated writer of Rock On!! 2; I have been consistently doing all the writing for the past four years. I was always aware that Excel and Gattu may arrive at an understanding at which point my fight would become redundant, because I am not in a position to decide or accord credit in a film. That is the producers' prerogative.
What was your reaction to the episode?
After months of waiting, the case finally went into hearing when I was in Shillong to attend the shoot of Rock On!! 2. After day one, I was informed that the Judge had dismissed Gattu's claim that he owns the copyright of Rock On!!. His claim of screenplay authorship was also dismissed. All that remained to be investigated was his contribution to the sequel's story.
I was initially told that my authorship will be defended in the court, but that stance changed overnight. That was a bit shocking.
And then?
I was torn and confused when I returned to Mumbai from Shillong. But I sought counsel from senior colleagues and friends and decided that in the interest of the film, it's best to agree to the settlement.
Did you speak to Ritesh and Farhan (Akhtar)? What was their reaction?
As co-defendants, Excel was aware of every development in the case. Also, it was Ritesh who informed me that the Judge had suggested a settlement and their legal counsel had advised them in favour of it. So, I did not have to inform them.
Do you plan to move a higher court?
No, I have signed an agreement, so there is nothing left to contest. I would rather devote my energy on writing my next script. Besides, since the producers are okay with settlement, it would be futile on my part to carry on with the fight. Every writer's contract states that the producer is free to appoint an additional writer if he/she wants to.
Rock On!!, I suppose, was the first film you wrote for Gattu, right?
Yes, the factor that makes this entire case even more complex is that all three parties concerned go back a long time. I have been working with Gattu from 2006 to 2012... six years and we have two films between us -- Rock On!! and Kai Po Che.
When he didn't give you credit as the co-writer of Rock On!!, why did you agree to work with him on the sequel?
It's not that simple a case. Gattu hired me to write the screenplay of Rock On!! in 2006. When he signed up with Excel in 2007, I was unaware that he had not mentioned my name as the writer. I was just happy that the project I was working on had found a producer. Subsequently, I was given a second credit for screenplay and frankly, I didn't know any better.
However, during the film's release, I realised that he was claiming to be its writer without even once acknowledging that I have written the screenplay. There was no mention of a co-writer in the publicity material or in his media interviews. I was hurt and told him so, but he brushed it off saying he wasn't responsible for what journalists write.
So, it was a mistake working with him again...
I will admit that I made a mistake. I hoped he would recognise my contribution to the film. Alas!
What went wrong between Gattu and you?
Directors wield a lot more power than screenwriters. As a new entrant in the industry, I felt wary of being seen as a troublemaker and did not register my protest publicly. Maybe that was my fault. But my silence was looked upon as a weakness.
Did you speak to Gattu when he filed the court case this time?
No, he and I have different social circles. So unlike my producers, I never run into him at some party. Our professional relationship had an unpleasant end concerning the sequel and also another project, where he hired me in his capacity as a producer, but is yet to pay my dues. We have not been in touch since then.
Would you ever work with him again?
Well, maybe we will find life on another planet... who knows ? There are divorces which are not always disrespectful and after the initial hurt, people do remain friends. Gattu and I have gone through a messy professional divorce. In fact, at this point of time, I am unsure whether it's worth continuing a career in the mainstream film industry, given what it costs your soul. But my passion for cinema and writing is still very much alive.
It must be depressing for writers to continuously be denied credits...How did you deal with the case at an emotional and mental level?
The past month has probably been the most stressful one, professionally. It almost broke me to see that the very people who know my work intimately are the ones who will not think twice before hurting and humiliating me. But I am a survivor, so I know I will walk on. A clean conscience goes a long way in resurrecting you.
What have you learnt from this experience?
I have decided to say a blanket 'No' to projects that offer 'co-writing' with directors. Co-writing requires mutual understanding, same wavelength, common aesthetics and at least an overlapping worldview. Writing is a very personal process that leaves you naked and even vulnerable --- you cannot attempt that with someone who is merely a professional acquaintance. In short, I am looking for a human connection before I can attempt a professional one. That has been my learning from this case.
What are you working on now?
I want to attempt meaningful cinema. I am very clear when I meet potential directors or producers that when they work with me, they hire a mind, not simply my language or typing skills. It is no surprise then, that I am currently unemployed and might continue to be so in the foreseeable future. But my writing philosophy apart, I am currently in the last stages of script consultancy on an Anil Kapoor Production's project. I am quite excited about writing a spec script -- one that has not been commissioned by a producer -- with a friend and colleague. Also, I am dying to write my own scripts, irrespective of how they fare on the 'commercial viability' scale.
Thumbnail Image Source: aditebanerjie and topnews
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