Mohanlal’s highly anticipated directorial debut, ‘Barroz - The Guardian of D'Gama's Treasure’, is facing an unexpected hurdle as a copyright infringement claim threatens to delay the film’s release, slated for September 12. The legal challenge comes from George Thundiparambil, a Germany-based Malayali writer, who alleges that the film’s storyline bears striking similarities to his 2008 novel, ‘Maya’.

According to reports, Thundiparambil has issued a legal notice to key figures associated with ‘Barroz’, including Mohanlal, writer Jijo Punnoose, screenwriter TK Rajeev Kumar, and producer Antony Perumbavoor. The notice demands that the copyright issues be addressed before the film hits theaters. As of now, the filmmakers have not publicly responded to the allegations.

‘Barroz’ explores the myth of Kappiri Muthappan, a ghost believed to guard hidden treasures in Kochi Fort. The film’s plot is officially based on a book by Jijo Punnoose, known for directing the classic ‘My Dear Kuttichathan’. However, Thundiparambil claims that the narrative of ‘Barroz’ closely mirrors his novel, ‘Maya’, which also centers on Kappiri Muthappan. Specifically, he points out that both works feature an eighteen-year-old girl who can see and interact with the ghost—a key element that he asserts is distinctive to his story.

Thundiparambil’s legal notice further reveals that in 2016, a friend of his approached TK Rajeev Kumar with a proposal to adapt ‘Maya’ into a film. Rajeev Kumar allegedly expressed interest and mentioned discussing the project with Jijo Punnoose. However, the writer alleges that he received no further updates and was not informed of any progress, only to later discover that ‘Barroz’ was being made with a similar storyline.

Adding to the complexity, Jijo Punnoose announced his disassociation from the ‘Barroz’ project in 2022. Despite this, the film continues to be promoted as being based on his book. Thundiparambil, meanwhile, has stated that he was unable to find Punnoose’s book in circulation, but noted that chapters available on the production company’s website appear to resemble his own work, particularly in the portrayal of the girl who communicates with the ghost.

The legal dispute casts a shadow over the film’s planned release. On the other hand, anticipation for ‘Barroz’ remains high, with a special trailer set to be unveiled on September 6 during an event in Abu Dhabi.