When jingle composer Ram Sampat gave the music for ‘Khakee’, it appeared that a new whiz composer had been discovered. However, as soon as the audio of his next film. ‘Family- Ties Of Blood’ hit the stores, it became obvious that it was another one film wonder!
What remained of Ram Sampat and his tattered reputations vanished into thin air and his true face came to the fore via his opportunistic out of court settlement with the ‘Krazzy 4′ producer, Rakesh Roshan, after pressurising him just days before the release of the film.
We bring you the exact story, straight from Rakesh Roshan :-
I have been observing with great feeling of anguish, some false and frivolous reporting about the matter related to the music of my film ‘Krazzy 4′ in press and electronic media.
With a view to clarifying the position and removing any wrong and unworthy impression created by such irresponsible and utterly misleading statements I think it is absolutely necessary to inform everyone about the facts on record.
This statement, besides unfolding the facts, will serve as a timely warning to my fraternity.
I had liked the music piece of the ad which I saw on TV in which Hrithik Roshan is performing as a brand ambassador for Sony Ericsson. For the purpose of using some portion of the said music in my film I requested Sony Ericsson and in response I was granted consent and permission of Sony Ericsson by the letter dated 13th December 2007 which I reproduce here below.
Consequently in good faith and relying on the authorization of Sony Ericsson as per the attached letter I recorded with the required modification retaining only 4 bars of the THUMP track. I was surprised and shocked on 24th March 2008 to receive a notice from the solicitors of Ram Sampat containing allegations of infringement of his work.
I contacted Sony Ericsson and was told that they issued the letter by mistake and infact they didn’t have the rights for the same.
Before I could think of any solution, Mr. Sampat filed a suit in Bombay High Court framing all wild and frivolous allegations of infringing his copyright of said music piece of Thump.
It was really a shocking development because instead of approaching me to know the facts he straight away went to court. It was evident from going through the plaint and annexure therewith, that he was preparing the suit for a long time.
It is interesting to note that the ‘Krazzy 4′ music was launched in February 2008 and the promos containing the alleged infringed work was released on TV on all channels in the end of February 2008. All these days Ram Sampat chose to wait and instituted the suit in the High Court just a few days before the release of the film.
This was a well planned scheme of making money. Having all the proof in my hand to defend, I was helpless for want of time.
I was required to be in Court when the prints of the film had already been delivered all over the world. Finding myself caught in a helpless situation and to keep up my commitment with distributors and to respect feelings of the audience, I had no way but to succumb to the pressure and to compromise on the matter, thereby seeing that the film is released on the announced date.
To honor all these commitments, moral and professional I paid the price to Ram Sampat who strangulated me just days before the release.
These are facts which will enlighten each and everyone who might have been misled by wrongful claims and have been carrying wrong impression about the intentions and integrity of a banner which is sincerely and honestly serving the Motion Picture Industry and cine-goers since decades. These are also the facts which Hrithik had sent to Ram via sms which he has misused.
While concluding I would request my producer brethren to be beware of such people who wait to harass and corner the producers just at the time of the release of the film for wrongful gains.
“Preity Zinta is my favourite actress and I’ not saying that because she is the co-owner of Kings XI Punjab,” said express bowler Brett Lee at the press conference of his acting debut Victory in Jaipur yesterday. Lee alongwith Mike Hussey, Brad Hogg, Simon Katich, RP Singh, Praveen Kumar, Dinesh Karthick and Yousuf Pathan played a competitive game under the luminous floodlights in the dexterously maintained Sawai Maan Singh Stadium. While huge sixes were being lofted all over the park, director Ajit Pal canned one shot after another in the beauteous 35 MM camera which was always at the risk of being smashed by one of Dinesh Karthick’s massive strikes.
Lee was the cynosure of all eyes and like a star he mingled with fans, burnt sky hugging fire crackers and patiently answered queries from fan-like journos keen on knowing if he would build up a six pack or eight pack to maybe giving the Khans and the Roshans a run for their money. “I am a cricketer he said,” with a shining-sword smile and the impact was hard to miss. “Playing for Australia is my first love but there are so many other things that I like doing like fashion, music (he carried his guitar even to the stadium), and watching movies and now being a part of it. When it releases in Australia there will be lots pf laughs, lots of fun.” So, why did he agree to do Victory where he plays himself? “It is a fantastic script and hats off to people who’ve written it.”
Next week this time the biggest cricketing extravaganza -IPL (Indian Premiere League) would be on and cricket mania is surely going to be at an all time high for the following few weeks.
