Hyderabad court summons Mahesh Babu and makers of 'Srimanthudu' for alleged copyright violation

A Hyderabad court has issued summons to Tollywood actor Mahesh Babu, director Koratala Siva and producer Y Naveen for allegedly violating the Indian Copyright Act, with their film, Srimanthudu.

Though the court officially issued the summons on January 31 asking them to appear before the VI Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Nampally, the incident was reported only on Monday.

Earlier, a petition had been filed by writer Sharath Chandra seeking action under the Copyrights Act.

He alleged that the movie makers had used parts from his novel, Chachchenta Prema, which was published in a Telugu magazine in 2012, without his permission.

He had earlier filed a petition in a city civil court before approaching the Nampally criminal court.

"Initially, the film-makers offered me some money for an out-of-court settlement. I was prepared for such a proposition, but was not keen about monetary consideration. Instead, I wanted them to give me credit for the story if Srimanthudu was remade in Hindi and use my other stories to make their future films,'' Sharath told the Times of India.

The movie, which released in 2015, revolved around a rich, urban youngster who adopts a village and develops it, by providing facilities to the rural people.

At the worldwide box office, the movie reportedly became the second all-time highest Telugu grosser, raking in a collection of Rs 144.45 crore.

The court has directed the actor and the makers to appear before it, on March 3.