12 August,2016 09:57 AM IST | | Gaurav Sarkar
Akashaditya Lama, who has accused makers of 'Mohenjo Daro' of lifting his script, is collecting money from the public to pay off the Rs 1.5L penalty; has already raised Rs 10,000
When one can crowdfund movies, weddings and vacations, can fine collections be far behind? Slapped with a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh by the Bombay High Court for "piling one incorrect claim on top of another" in his petition alleging copyright infringement by the makers of Mohenjo Daro, director/writer Akashaditya Lama has now taken to the streets to pay off the penalty.
On Tuesday, Lama, along with members of his theatre group, Big Bang Theatres Foundation, assembled outside Infinity Mall in Andheri (W) with placards reading âKaun kehta hai bade log chor nahi hote (who says the biggies are not thieves)?' and collected funds from pedestrians and mall-goers. "We are collecting money from beggars and the rich alike to pay off the HC fine," said Lama.
On Wednesday, he and his troops visited the Lokhandwala market and collected money from shopkeepers as well.
The next afternoon, Lama did the same outside Inorbit Mall in Malad, where actors Hrithik Roshan and Pooja Hegde were promoting Mohenjo Daro. "We don't want to create any law and order problem," he said. "We just want to go to the people and state the facts, and if they feel like helping our cause, they can donate how much ever they want."
At the Infinity Mall signal, some 30 beggars came together and collectively contributed R40. In Lokhandwala, sympathetic shopkeepers donated between R10 and R20.
Shoring up support
"More than the money, it's the moral support that we are getting," said Lama, who has also opened up an online account for donations. "I have requested all my friends not to contribute more than R1,000 each so that more people can take part in the donation drive. In case any excess money is collected, I will donate it to the Film Writers Association for the welfare of financially impoverished writers."
Since taking to the streets, Lama has collected around Rs 6,000 from the public, and has received R4,000 through online donations.
"The suit will continue in the High Court," said Lama. "We will move the US court as well, since Disney is one of the producers and distributors of Mohenjo Daro."
The penalty has to be paid within four weeks.
