Earlier today, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut announced the sequel of her 2019 period drama ‘Manikarnika’. The second installment in the franchise would be based on the legend of Queen Didda (also known as “the Cleopatra of Kashmir”) who ruled the valley, directly and indirectly, during the 10th and 11th centuries.
हमारा भारतवर्ष साक्षी रहा है झाँसी की रानी जैसे कई वीरांगनाओं की कहानी का. ऐसी ही एक और अनकही वीरगाथा है कश्मीर की एक रानी की, जिसने महमूद गजनवी को एक नहीं, दो बार हराया. ले कर आ रहे हैं @KamalJain_TheKJ और मैं, #ManikarnikaReturns: The Legend of Didda 🙏 pic.twitter.com/sgrqkqilj6
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 14, 2021
However, this took author Ashish Kaul by surprise who has penned a book on the same ruler titled ‘Didda-Kashmir Ki Yodha Rani’, the English version of which has already been released.
So, the stars take plagiarism to a brazen new high. If this can happen to a copyright story, national bestseller, sole legitimate & globally praised story by all news media – imagine what fairly new comers must be going thru #DiddaTheWarriorQueenOfKashmir
— Ashish Kaul (@aashishkaul) January 14, 2021
Claiming that he is the sole copyright owner of the ruler’s biography, Ashish said, “I have the exclusive copyrights to the life story of Didda who was the Princess of Lohar (Poonch), now in Jammu & Kashmir, and the Queen of Kashmir.”
As per a report in TOI, the author added that he had approached Kangana to write the foreword of the Hindi edition of his book, but is yet to receive a response from either Kangana or her then-manager Rangoli Chandel.
He recalls, “On September 11, 2020, I had written to her on her official email ID, which belongs to her sister Rangoli, requesting her to pen a foreword for my book ‘Didda – Kashmir Ki Yodha Rani’, which is yet to release in 2019. Appended in the same email was the entire life story of the warrior queen.”
Given the recent developments, Ashish claims that Kangana has knowingly or unknowingly committed plagiarism. Expressing his displeasure, he said, “Is it believable by any stretch of the imagination that a story and a book is being usurped by a renowned actor-turned-social activist? She may even turn around and claim that Didda is a historical figure, which is true except the fact that no historian in the world, apart from Kalhan who wrote just two pages on her, and me, who has spent six years on research and documentation, who have information on her.”
Our nation has witnessed many stories of brave women who have set great precedents. Honored to tell story of brave queen of Kashmir who defeated Mehmood Ghaznavi twice with none other than @KanganaTeam. #ManikarnikaReturns :The Legend of Didda goes on floors in January 2022 pic.twitter.com/0fdSwgmnw4
— Kamal Jain (@KamalJain_TheKJ) January 14, 2021
“I am deeply aghast that a person as aware, knowledgeable, and apparently a nationalist and a voice for causes, has chosen to belittle her image so. She has blatantly violated my sole rights; it is illegal and an absolute violation of the IPR and copyright laws of the same country that she swears by. I find it so brazen and hideous and I am still inclined to believe that Kangana has been misguided,” he concluded.
Queen is back! @KanganaTeam will be next seen in #ManikarnikaReturns the second film of the Manikarnika franchise. She plays the role of the queen of Kashmir. Film to be produced by @KamalJain_TheKJ! pic.twitter.com/5GPqR6SwpT
— Sathish Kumar M (@sathishmsk) January 14, 2021
Kangana Ranaut is yet to respond to the allegations.
Cover Image Source- Left