War Of Rights? Filmmakers Clash Over Bihar Girl's Story Who Cycled 1,200 Km With Injured Father

Tentatively titled Atmanirbhar, a film on the story of 15-year-old Jyoti Kumari Paswan, who cycled 1200 kilometers with injured father as pillion from Haryana to Bihar in order to escape the lockdown distress, was announced by Wemakefilmz, a two-decade old venture run by four friends, as per PTI.

It was also reported that Jyoti will play herself in the movie. "Bahut achha lag raha hai (I feel very good)," she was quoted as saying by the news agency.

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Now a dispute has reportedly erupted over the rights to the movie after filmmaker Vinod Kapri claimed that he has already made an advance payment to procure the same over a month ago.

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Wemakefilmz is run by Miraj and Fairoz, who work in the Middle East, along with Krishna and Sajith V Nambiar.

Reacting to filmmaker Vinod Kapri's claim, Krishna said that his agreement does not have legal value. Kapri had tweeted that as per an agreement on May 27, the rights of the film were with Bhagirathi Films Pvt Ltd (BFPL) and he said no one else can make the movie.

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Meanwhile, Wemakefilmz has roped in Sanjay Mishra to play the role of Jyoti's father in the movie.

This is how we #cinemawala ? contribute to society,' Work for Cause ', Jyoti pedaled, above 1000 kms to homeland Darbhanga, with father sitting behind, ?? ? ??? ?? ???????? ??, we will try to bring to ur heart, we need ur blessings ?#ShineKrishna #SujitNambiar https://t.co/qsO8Vz5bq3 pic.twitter.com/X5OBdUQ04o

¡ª Sanjay Mishra (@imsanjaimishra) July 2, 2020

Reacting to Sanjay Mishra's tweet about the film, Kapri tweeted that someone had given Mishra wrong information or misguided him. He also tagged a video which showed signing of the agreement and a statement to that effect by Mohan Paswan, the girl's father.

????? ???? ??? @imsanjaimishra
27 ?? 2020 ?? ???? ?? ???????? ??????? ??? ?? ?? ¡° ????? ?? ?????????? #BhagirathiFilms ?? ??? ¡°??????? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ??

???? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ?? ?? ?????? ???? ??

???? ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?? ? https://t.co/UMZ7xyslXW pic.twitter.com/4zkZAAcGb2

¡ª Vinod Kapri (@vinodkapri) July 3, 2020

Furthermore, Kapri claimed that BFPL has signed an agreement with the girl's father Mohan Paswan on May 27 and 20 per cent of the amount was paid into a bank account, while the remaining 80 per cent was to be paid upon commencement of work.

"Today, we came to know about the new agreement, which is illegal and a breach of contract with Bhagirathi Films. We request Mohan to cancel this new contract and put an end to the dispute. If the new contract goes into force neither Kapri nor Mohan will be able to make a film," the statement claimed.

1232 KILOMETRES

Just completed toughest & most unforgettable journey of my life which began in Ghaziabad to Saharsa,Bihar & covered a distance of 1232 Kilometres with 7 migrant labourers,who were riding BICYCLE to reach their villages.

My new film:
1232 KMs-Under production. pic.twitter.com/oYwx9cD2DN

¡ª Vinod Kapri (@vinodkapri) May 5, 2020

On the other hand, Krishna said Wemakefilmz has legally acquired the exclusive motion picture rights on Jyoti Kumari and family.

"Before signing the life story rights option agreement, we have crossed checked the agreement which has been signed through somebody by Kapri... he was not physically present there and there was no sign of Jyoti or her mother. So that one agreement will not have any legal value," he said in a statement issued on behalf of Wemakefilmz.

Kapri has claimed that he will take the legal route soon.