"We cancelled the three National Awards since it's unethical to plagiarise"

After Bangladesh government cancelled the three National Film Awards for the Bengali film '

Brihannala

' on charges of plagiarism, composer Debajyoti Mishra is now shooting a complaint letter to the government. He wants Bangladesh to act on his charges of

plagiarism

of his song 'Piya tora kaisa abhimaan' from Rituparno Ghosh's '

Raincoat

' that was allegedly copied as 'Piya tor kiser aviman' in 'Brihannala'.

Bangladesh's minister of information Hasanul Haq Inu said, 'It was unethical of him to plagiarise. Hence, we cancelled. Our PM will give away the Awards on May 11. We have already held a meeting and chosen 'Nekabborer Mahaprayan' as the Best Film. We are waiting for our lawyers' to advice us on how to get back the money from the government grants given for making 'Brihannala' as well as suggest how Siraj's name should be credited. Legal advice is being sought on how to deal with this corruption.'

In September last year, TOI had first reported when legendary author

Syed Mustafa Siraj

's elder son

Abhijit Siraj

had alleged that the Bangaldeshi director had plagiarised his father's story titled 'Gaachta Bolechilo'. Last month, author Shirshendu Mukherjee and Debesh Roy wrote to Bangladesh's minister of information protesting against the decision to bestow the National Awards for Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Dialogue on the film.
Poor show by Bengali movies at National Awards
Murad was unavailable for comment. Sohana Saba, who has acted in 'Brihannala', said, 'I've played my career's best character in 'Brihannala'. Murad Parvez is a favourite director of mine. He will be the best person to talk about the storyline.' On being asked about the decision of Bangaldesh government to cancel the National Awards, she said, 'They have done what they've thought the best.'

Mukherjee is very happy with the Bangladesh government's move. 'I'm glad they have set such an example. It will prevent others from indulging in plagiarism. Debajyati should write to the ministry. A legal procedure should be initiated on this too,' Mukherjee said.

According to Mishra, with this decision, Bangaldesh has proved that it has an 'upright backbone'. 'Had the ministry not taken this step, we would have only made headlines crying hoarse,' Mishra said.

Revoking the awards has given Mishra strength. 'Now, I'll be writing to the ministry to seek redressal.' Inu said, 'Once he formally writes to us, it will be easier for us to take up the case.'

The author's son, Amitabha Siraj, said, 'Truth has prevailed. It proves that Bengalis on both side of the border respect my father.' Writer Syed Hasmat Jalal, the author's brother and secretary of Syed Mustafa Siraj Academy, too had written a letter to the information minister to point at the plagiarism issue. 'Besides cancelling the awards, they should insert my brother's name in the credit. I also want them to pay Rs 1.5 lakh as royalty to the family. Debajyoti too should be credited as the composer,' Jalal said.

Producer of 'Raincoat' Shrikant Mohta, said, 'My support goes out to the original work. Had the makers sought our permission to use the 'Raincoat' song, we would have given it. We've sold the music copyright. It's unfair to not give credit to the original composer.'

Listen to the songs of 'Raincoat' on gaana.com

WATCH: Syed Mustafa Siraj : A Journey