Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma was fined for Rs10 lakhs by the Delhi High Court on Monday for remaking Ramesh Sippy's 1975 cult classic 'Sholay' which violated the exclusive copyright reserved by Ramesh Sippy.
The lawsuit againt RGV was filed by Sascha Sippy, son and grandson of original Sholay's producers Vijay Sippy and G.P. Sippy, alleging that remake was violative of exclusive copyright held by the Sholay Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd.
RGV was imposed with the fine and also restrained him from using any character like Gabbar or Gabbar Singh from the original film.
"The publicity material coupled with the impugned film, gives an overall impression that it is a remake of the film 'Sholay'." the order said.