Court orders Major Ravi to pay compensation of Rs 30 lakh, script of ‘Karmayodha’ stolen

KOTTAYAM: A setback for Major Ravi in the legal dispute over the script of the film Karmayodha starring Mohanlal. The Kottayam Commercial Court ruled that the script of the film belongs to Reji Mathew of Puthuppally and a scriptwriter. The court ordered to pay Rs 30 lakh and the copyright of the film to the plaintiff. The verdict was delivered after 13 years of legal battle. The film was released in 2012.

Judge Maneesh D A delivered the verdict on the complaint of Reji Mathew that the film was made using his story and script and dialogues without permission. Reji Mathew approached the court a month before the release of the film, seeking to stop the release of the film. However, the court allowed the release of the film after depositing Rs 5 lakh.

The court allowed the film to release after registering that there was a dispute on the story, script and dialogues. However, the film was released with the names of Shaji and Sumesh in place of the scriptwriters. Reji Mathew approached the court, claiming that the court order had been violated and seeking a compensation of Rs 40 lakh. The petitioner also demanded that the script and dialogue be declared as his.

Major Ravi was the first accused in the case. Producer Haneef Mohammed, Shaji S V, Sumesh and Robin were also accused. Major Ravi claimed that the story was his. Major Ravi claimed that he had discussed the story with Reji Mathew, among many other filmmakers.