AP Film Writers' Association takes steps to protect screen writers

AP Film Writers' Association takes steps to protect screen writers

Often, the success of a movie is followed by an unknown writer claiming the movie's original storyline is his. Some blockbusters like Enthiran and Dasavatharam faced this embarrassing situation, when the writer in question moved various courts to halt the release of the movies and sought compensation for plagiarising their stories. Some have been genuine cases of plagiarism while others are just gimmicks to extract money from the producers.

The courts which handled these cases have always made a ruling in favour of the movie producers, as most writers lack evidence to prove their rights over the story. Now, the AP Film Writers' Association. in a move to protect the writers, interests, has called all professional and amateur film writers in Andhra to register their stories with the Association, so that they get acknowledgement for their works.

Most writers who haven't made it big in the industry visit production houses to narrate their stories and to request an opportunity to prove their talents. Some production houses may turn them down, but keep their interesting stories in mind, making them into movies later. A struggling film writer might be pained to find his story being made into a mega blockbuster, with him being totally ostracized from limelight and remuneration.

To bring about an end to this exploitation, the AP Film Writers' Association has requested all writers to register their stories with the Association, for a small sum of Rs. 200. The production houses who need stories could approach the Association, which would serve as a library of movie plots. The organisation firmly believes that by this initiative, the writers would be compensated for their efforts and would prevent the exploitation of budding talents.