'Malayalee from India' row: Producers' Association holds similarity 'coincidental'

Kochi: Issuing a statement in response to the recent allegations of theft of the script of 'Malayalee from India’ raised by screenwriter Nishad Koya, the Producers Association held that the similarities were purely coincidental. 

Addressing the media at a press conference in Kochi, director B Unnikrishnan asserted that the similarities between Sharis Mohammed's script and Nishad Koya's script were purely coincidental. 

He emphasised the common occurrence of multiple individuals conceiving similar ideas, citing an instance where another screenplay with a similar concept was written back in 2013 involving actor Dileep. 

Unnikrishnan clarified that Sreejith, the cinematographer of the film 'Ellam Sheriyakum,' initially planned to direct 'Malayalee from India' during the COVID-19 era in 2021. Sharis told Sreejith the story of India and Pakistan going into quarantine. The drafts they worked on are available. The discussions surrounding the story began in August, 2021 when Sharis and Sreejith approached production controller Harris Desom. Despite initial progress, the project hit a roadblock, prompting Sharis and Dijo to take charge of the movie ‘Jana Gana Mana’.

Following several iterations, Sharis completed the draft of the film for Sreejith, leading to the latter being credited as a creative contributor in 'Malayalee from India’. Actor Jayasuriya also confirmed this account, affirming that he had merely provided a brief outline of the story during the shooting of an advertisement, leaving the scripting details to the professionals.

After evaluating this situation, it was realised that more than one writer can have the same story and idea, he said and cited another incident. In 2013, debut writer Rajeev had penned a similar storyline for director Prajith, the director of 'Vadakkan Selfie’. It was to be produced by M Ranjith, former president of Producers’ Association. Advance was even given to Rajeev and Prajit for the same. They developed it and discussed it with Dileep. But due to some inconveniences from Dileep’s part, the film did not happen. 

Rajeev is currently working as a steel worker in Ernakulam. Although the project failed to materialise, it shared uncanny similarities with 'Malayalee from India’, including a plot involving a Pakistani character being deceived by a Malayali, portrayed by actor Aju Varghese.

The strangest coincidence is the fact that the Pakistani character in Rajeev's story is also deceived by a Malayali. Aju Varghese was cast in that role at the time. Aju's photo is also featured in 'Malayalee from India' portraying the same character. One of the most shocking aspects is that a dialogue from Rajeev's script appears in 'Malayalee from India’, written by Sharis. Here, Rajeev, Sharis and Nishad Koya – all three have drawn these elements from a collective unconscious.

Rajeev has never encountered Sharis or anyone, nor does he know them. Such coincidences are what make writing fascinating. Sharis and Dijo are virtually mobbed. B Unnikrishnan added that both are in a situation where they cannot even open social media accounts.