Plagiarism, Redefined

Niharika, one of the regular followers of this blog, wrote to me confronting my views on Mani Ratnam and Co. She said Mani Ratnam actually 'did' a favour by bringing Amorres Perros to Andipatti. How else would people have known about such movies, is what she had to say.

Since many people with whom I hold this discussion seem to feel the same way, I thought it's time I clarified my stand. Here I go.

To begin with, for the uninitiated, Amorres Perros is the Latin American, Oscar nominated original of Ayudha Ezhuthu aka Yuva.

I have no problem in Mani Ratnam taking Amorres Perros to Andipatti provided he 'tells' them that Ayudha Ezhuthu 'is' Amorres Perros. He doesn't. The movie is still 'Written and Directed by Mani Ratnam'. Nobody knew 'Anbe Sivam' is 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles'. I didn't know till Siddharth told me. So what are we talking about taking things to Andipatti? It's like me grabbing your car, driving my girlfriend around and telling her that I bought it. It's not only stealing, it's a despicable behaviour.

Hollywood does the same but differently. They buy the rights, give the necessary credits and then use the idea. If Ju-on does well in Japan, it gets remade as 'The Grudge' directed by Takashi Shimishu! If Amorres Perros does well, the director is given a Hollywood film to do (21 Grams). When you buy the rights, you give credits to that person and hence the creator gets his money and the world recognizes him as the original brain. Such a practice creates a very health society where a lot of ideas and knowledge flourish.

Lots of ideas and knowledge flourish in Hollywood because they give that credit. A healthy society is where the original talent is recognized and respected. In such a society everyone aspires to creativity. In such an environment, actually both good and bad ideas thrive. But I'd say a scenario of good and bad original ideas are better than only good but stolen ideas. We always lead a second-hand life because as a society, we don't appreciate originality.

That's my point.