Srimanthudu Copyright Issue: Team responds with an official statement

HYDERABAD: The copyright infringement case against director Koratala Siva, filed by writer Sarath Chandra, has sparked mixed reactions. Sarath Chandra, also known as RD Wilson, alleges that the story of "Srimanthudu" was copied from his work 'Chachentha Prema.' He claims that "Srimanthudu" is a scene-to-scene reproduction of his story except for the village name.

According to Sarath Chandra, the makers of "Srimanthudu" offered monetary compensation, which he rejected. Instead, he is seeking acknowledgment and credit for his work. Sarath Chandra demands that Koratala Siva publicly admit his mistake, or he threatens to pursue legal action that could lead to Koratala being sent to jail.

In response to the ongoing issue, the team behind "Srimanthudu" issued an official statement titled. The statement urges the media and commentators to refrain from drawing premature conclusions, emphasizing that the matter is currently under legal review.

Official Statement on the Creative Integrity of ‘Srimanthudu’ is as follows:

"We address the discussion around Mr. Koratala Siva’s ‘Srimanthudu’ amidst claims of similarity to the novel ‘Chachentha Prema’. Both works, existing in the public domain, showcase distinct narratives with no overlap, a fact readily verifiable by those who examine the book and film.

As the matter is currently under legal review, with no hearings or verdicts to date, we urge the media and commentators to refrain from premature conclusions. We emphasize the importance of basing discourse on informed comparison and legal outcomes.

We stand firmly by the uniqueness of ‘Srimanthudu’ and our core idea of adopting a village and encourage whomsover interested to personally assess the two works. Our appeal is for patience and trust in the legal process, respecting the principles of fairness and integrity.

Thank you for your understanding and support."