Pooja Bhatt-Vipul Shah tiff: what causes such incidents

Bollywood producers sparring over film titles is not new, but the latest tiff between Pooja Bhatt and Vipul Shah seems to have exposed a bigger issue — the lack of transparency in the functioning of the film ­associations with which ­makers register their titles.

Bollywood producers sparring over film titles is not new, but the latest tiff between Pooja Bhatt and Vipul Shah seems to have exposed a bigger issue — the lack of transparency in the functioning of the film ­associations with which ­makers register their titles.



Vipul’s upcoming film with Akshay Kumar, Holiday — A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, has not gone down well with Pooja, who made a film of the same title (Holiday) in 2006.



"To make a film, you have to register your title with one of the many associations and pay them every year to re-register your title. I registered the name, Holiday, with the Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC), and made the film in 2006. Vipul (Shah), after facing rejection from IFTPC, registered the same name with the Indian Motion Pictures’ Producers Association (IMPPA). So then, what’s the point of me paying money every year to protect my title?" questions .

Akshay-Kumar-and-Sonakshi-Sinha-in-a-still-from-Holiday

While some industry insiders call the title registration process a "money-making racket". ­others are astounded by the lack of accountability from the associations that get "paid" to protect their titles.



Trade analyst Atul Mohan agrees that the often do not coordinate with each other. "There is miscommunication, and due to these loopholes, producers end up in a feud over the same title," explains Mohan.



Another prominent film-maker, on condition of anonymity shares, "It is a racket. If I apply for a title, I am not sure whether I will get it or not."



Film-maker Mukesh Bhatt, president of the Film and Television Producers Guild of India, feels that the solution lies in creating an open process online, while agreeing that holding on to titles is the biggest problem.