Will apologise publicly if proven wrong: Author Vishwas Patil on Panipat film controversy

Bestselling Marathi velist Vishwas Patil said he will "publicly apologise" to makers of "Panipat", if y prove that upcoming film is t inspired by his 1988 vel of same name. Set to be released on December 6, Ashutosh Gowariker-directorial starring Arjun Kapoor, Kriti San and Sanjay Dutt, recently found itself in a controversy after Patil filed a lawsuit in Bombay High Court accusing makers of "stealing" plot from his historical fiction. 

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" moment I watched trailer, I was very sure y ( makers) had stolen soul of my book, and n re was or alternative left but to go to court. I have asked m to show me both script and movie. If I am wrong and y have t lifted from my plot, n I'll publicly apologise, else y have to compensate," Patil told PTI.

w in its 43rd edition, book has sold over 2 lakh copies in Marathi. It has recently been translated into English by publishing house Westland. writer has also written a Marathi play titled, "Ranangan" (Battlefield) based on his vel. Patil's book and play, as well as Gowariker's film, are based on third battle of Panipat, which was fought between Maratha empire and Afghan army on January 14, 1761.

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While 60-year-old author agreed that story of battle is in public domain, and admitted that one individual could claim copyright over it, he argued that his book added "many new shades and colour" to historic event, which have been lifted by makers of film. For instance, he claimed it was his idea to make character of Parvati Bai, second wife of Sadashivrao Bhau, a warrior. 

San, who plays character of Parvati Bai in film, is seen fighting with swords in trailer. " history book has shown her as a woman wielding a sword... she, for longest time, has been seen as a feeble woman only. I was first person to give a sword in her hand... I wrote book in that way... be it dialogues, plots or sub plots. And this is just one of many examples," he said. 

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Sahitya Akademi award winning author also claimed that during film's inception st, eminent Marathi scriptwriter Sanjay Krishnaji Patil had allegedly reached out to him, seeking consent for adapting his vel for film. "Sanjay called me saying that Rohit Sheletkar (producer) is interested in making a movie on battle of Panipat, and that he wants to write screenplay based on my book and play. I gave him my consent.

"He even did one reading session with producer, and was one who suggested Ashutosh's name for director. But soon after, I came to kw that Sanjay was more part of project ... I didn't keep a check on things after that," he recalled. former IAS officer said his fight was on behalf of all "poor writers" who are exploited by "big production companies" and "big film makers".

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"I have spent eight years with his project ('Panipat'), six with book and two with play. t putting up a fight was t an option. Also, I think one needs to take on se big companies and directors, orwise y will make a habit out of this and go on stealing hard work of poor writers," 60-year-old author said. 

Patil, who retired two years back as vice-president of Maharashtra Aviation, has several bestselling Marathi vels to his credit including "Mahanayak" and "Zadazadati", which have also been translated into many langus. Repeated attempts for a response from Gowariker and film's production team went unanswered.