Bengali film ‘Abhhiman’ plagiarism row: Prosenjit Chatterjee breaks silence on allegations

The controversy surrounding Bengali film ‘Abhhiman’, which released on June 19, has taken a fresh turn, with veteran actor Prosenjit Chatterjee finally responding to plagiarism allegations levelled by filmmaker Suman Ghosh.

The dispute erupted after Ghosh alleged that ‘Abhhiman’ shares significant similarities with a story concept he had previously developed, sparking a debate in the Bengali film industry over originality, creative ownership and intellectual property.

The film's producers later rejected the allegations, insisting that the project was conceived independently.

Amid the growing plagiarism row, Chatterjee chose a restrained tone in his response. Rather than escalating the dispute, the actor highlighted the respect he has long held for Suman Ghosh and his contribution to Bengali cinema.

Chatterjee said that similarities between creative works can sometimes emerge unintentionally, as writers and filmmakers often draw from common human emotions, relationships, memories and life experiences.

Such overlaps, he suggested, are not uncommon in the creative world. At the same time, the actor maintained that ‘Abhhiman’ is an independent project developed from the creative vision of director Indradeep Dasgupta and writer Srijato Bandyopadhyay.

He also noted that all required legal formalities and documentation related to the film were completed properly.

Clarifying his own role, Chatterjee said his responsibility as an actor is to bring a character to life on screen and serve the story presented to him.

His association with the film, he added, was limited to that professional commitment.

The actor further stressed that he never intended to hurt or undermine any artist's creative faith or trust. If the controversy has created such an impression, he said, it was never his intention.

Ending his statement on a cordial note, Chatterjee extended his best wishes to Suman Ghosh for his future projects and success.

While the debate over the alleged similarities continues, the actor's response signals an attempt to keep the conversation focused on professionalism rather than personal conflict.

The controversy now stands at a crossroads, with Suman Ghosh alleging plagiarism, the makers defending the film's originality, and Chatterjee calling for respect amid the ongoing debate.