Kantara director Rishab Shetty, producer record statements in song plagiarism case

Kannada superhit director-producer Kantara appeared before the investigating police on Sunday and recorded their statement in connection with the case of alleged song plagiarism in the film. Producer Vijay Kirgandur and actor-director Rishab Shetty appeared before the Kozhikode city police today as directed by the Supreme Court.

“They presented themselves before the investigating officer as directed by the court. Their statements were recorded. They will be called again if necessary,” said a senior district police official.

The Supreme Court on February 10 stayed the Kerala High Court's stipulation directing the producer and director of the Kannada blockbuster not to exhibit the film featuring the song 'Varaharoopam' pending the final decision in the copyright infringement case. The bench modified one of the Supreme Court's conditions and ordered that producer Kirgandur and director Shetty be released on bail immediately if arrested.

On February 8, the Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to the director and producer in a case registered at the Kozhikode police station alleging plagiarism in the song. The allegation was that "Varaharoopam" was an unauthorized copy of the song "Navarasam" performed by the group Thaikkudam Bridge and featured on the Mathrubhumi Printing and Publishing Co-owned Malayalam music channel Kappa TV. Ltd.

The court imposed five conditions and asked Kirgandur and Shetty to surrender to the investigating officer on two days on February 12 and 13 between 10 am and 1 pm for questioning. He said the accused would not intimidate witnesses or tamper with evidence, and they would cooperate with the investigation and be available to the court. He also said that the accused/petitioners should not leave the country without prior permission from the appropriate court.

The High Court observed that the allegation of the prosecution against both the producer and the director of the film is that they have committed an offense punishable under Section 63 of the Copyright Act by using the music 'Navarasam' performed by Thaikkudam Bridge.