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The Indian film industry has been abuzz with news of Raaj Shaandilyaa's latest comedy, 'Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video,' facing controversy over an unauthorized reference to the popular horror franchise 'Stree.' The film, starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri, depicts a newly married couple in 1990s India whose sex tape goes missing, leading to hilarious consequences. However, the inclusion of a scene featuring 'Stree,' the ghost character from the Maddock Horror Universe, has sparked controversy and resulted in a public apology from the director.
In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Shaandilyaa clarified that his film is not affiliated with the 'Stree' universe and expressed sincere regret for the infringement. He, along with the producers, Super Cassettes Ind. Pvt. Ltd., Balaji Motion Pictures, and Wakaoo Films, acknowledged the unauthorized use of both character and dialogue from Maddock Films' 'Stree' franchise. The director emphasized the lack of any claim to intellectual property rights related to 'Stree,' 'Stree 2,' or any associated characters, further distancing the film from the popular franchise.
The unauthorized use of copyrighted material is a serious matter in the film industry, and Shaandilyaa's prompt apology and commitment to rectify the situation demonstrate a desire to resolve the issue amicably. The director confirmed that immediate steps are being taken to remove all infringing content from 'Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video,' aiming to complete the process by Tuesday, October 15th, 2024, to the satisfaction of Maddock Films. The director also vowed to prevent any future unauthorized use of copyrighted material, ensuring that such incidents are avoided in the future.
Despite the controversy surrounding the unauthorized 'Stree' reference, 'Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video' opened to decent box office figures, earning ₹5 crore net in India on its opening day. This promising start suggests that the film's comedic appeal has resonated with audiences, despite the controversy. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting intellectual property rights and obtaining necessary permissions before incorporating copyrighted elements into any creative work. It will be interesting to see how the film's future box office performance is impacted by this controversy and the removal of the infringing content.