Legal Showdown: Randeep Hooda’s ‘Swatantra Veer Savarkar’ Biopic Faces Ownership Dispute
Mumbai, 5th August 2023: Legal trouble has surrounded the Randeep Hooda starrer “Swatantra Veer Savarkar,” a biopic of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, where Randeep Hooda makes his directorial debut while also playing the lead role. Initially, when the film was announced, Randeep was listed as the co-producer alongside Anand Pandit and Sandeep Singh, who were mentioned as the producers on the movie posters.
However, Randeep Hooda’s camp, represented by Karan Halai of M/s Halai and Co Advocates and Legal Consultants, recently issued a statement asserting that he is the sole owner of the film. The statement highlights that Randeep faced various challenges, including financial, mental, and physical obstacles, during the making of the film. It also claims that he put in considerable effort, including risking his health with unprecedented weight loss, to embody the character of Veer Savarkar and do justice to the role. The statement firmly maintains that Randeep possesses all the intellectual property rights for the movie and is determined to ensure its timely release, as the public eagerly awaits the portrayal of one of the greatest heroes of India’s freedom struggle.
On the other hand, advocate Ravi Suryawanshi, representing Sandeep Singh and Anand Pandit, released a counter-statement refuting Randeep Hooda’s claims. They insist that they are the exclusive joint producers and owners of 100 per cent of the film’s Intellectual Property Rights and exploitation rights. The producers express shock and surprise at Hooda’s assertions, calling them false and baseless. They state that they are taking appropriate legal action, both civil and criminal, against Randeep Hooda to address the matter.
