Indian writer accuses filmmaker Karan Johar and Dharma Productions of stealing idea, story of JugJugg Jeeyo

Indian filmmaker Karan Johar's upcoming film JugJugg Jeeyo has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. It was first hit with plagiarism claims by singer Abrar Ul Haq who had accused the filmmaker of copying his song in the film. Now a writer has come forward with another plagiarism claim over the script and story.

On Monday, Haq took to Twitter and claimed that he has not sold his song 'Nach Punjaban' to the makers of the movie and “producers like Karan Johar” should not copy songs. He also threatened to take legal action while T-series, a music record label, claimed that they have not copied the song and have, in fact, obtained the rights to it through Indian record label Movie Box.

Now a new case has surfaced online. Writer Vishal A Singh also took to Twitter and claimed that the film's story has been copied from his story that he had pitched to Dharma Productions, Johar's company, two years ago in hopes of a collaboration.

In a thread, Singh accused Johar and his production house of stealing his story idea for Jugjugg Jeeyo. “Had registered a story.. Bunny Rani with SWA India in January 2020. I had officially mailed Dharma Movies in February 2020 for an opportunity to co-produce with them. I even got a reply from them. And they have taken my story.. and made JugJugg Jeeyo. Not fair Karan Johar,” he tweeted.

He also attached screenshots of the mail he sent to Somen Mishra, the head of creative development at the production house. In a separate tweet, Singh wrote, "Kahaani achchi lage agar.. baat karo.. haath milaao.. saath milke banaao? (If you like the story, talk to me and make it with me?) It doesn’t suit any reputed banner or for that matter.. any production house to do Chori – Chakaari (theft). If it can happen to me.. it can happen to anyone in the Hindi cinema industry.”

Meanwhile Mishra responded to Singh's claims in a tweet and said that the concerned party must take legal action and should stop threatening on Twitter. "We do not comment on speculation and hearsay. Our legal team has not received anything," he wrote.

Dharma Productions has not officially responded to Vishal or Haq's claims. Meanwhile the director and cast are busy promoting the film itself. The film stars Kiara Advani, Varun Dhawan, Neetu Singh and Anil Kapoor in lead roles. JugJugg Jeeyo is set to release this year on June 24.