Bollywood Trade News Network

With a view to clarifying the position and removing any wrong and unworthy impression created by such irresponsible and utterly misleading statement I think it is absolutely necessary to inform everyone about the facts on record

This statement, besides unfolding the facts, will serve as a timely warning to my fraternity.

I liked the music piece of the ad I saw on TV in which Hrithik is performing as a brand ambassador for Sony Ericsson. For the purpose of using some portion of the said music I requested Sony Ericsson and in response I was granted permission from Sony Ericsson with the letter dated 13th December 2007 that I reproduce as attached.

Consequently in good faith and relying on authorization of Sony Ericsson as per the attached letter ire corded with the required modification retaining only 4 bars of the THUMP track. I was surprised and shocked on 24th March 2008 to receive a notice from the solicitors of Ram Sampat containing allegations of infringement of his work.

I contacted Sony Ericsson and was told that they issued the letter by mistake and infact they didn't have the rights.

Before I could think of any solution, Mr. Sampat filed a suit in Bombay High Court framing all wild and frivolous allegations of infringing his copyright of said music piece of Thump.

It was really a shocking development because instead of approaching me to know the facts he straightaway went to court. It was evident from going through the plaint and annexure there that he was preparing the suit for a long time.

It is interesting to note that the KRAZZY 4 music was launched in February 2008 and the promos containing the alleged infringed work was released on TV on all channels in the end of February 2008. All these days Ram Sampat chose to wait and instituted the suit in High Court just a few days before the release of the film

This was a well-planned scheme to harass me. I was required to be in Court when the prints of the film had already been delivered all over the world. Finding myself caught in a helpless and to keep up my commitment to distribute and respect feelings of the audience I had no way but to succumb to the pressure and to compromise on the matter, thereby seeing that the film is released on the announced date.

To honor all these commitments, moral and professional I paid the price to Ram Sampat who strangulated me just days before the release.

These are facts, which will enlighten each and everyone who might have been misled by wrongful claims and have been carrying wrong impression about the intentions and integrity of a banner, which is sincerely, and honestly serving the Motion Picture Industry and cine-goers since decades. These are also the facts, which Hrithik had sent to Ram via sms, which he has misused.

While concluding I would request my producer brethren to be beware of such people who wait to harass and corner the producers just at the time of the release of the film for wrongful reasons."