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Is Oscar-winning film Parasite inspired from a Tamil film?

Is Oscar-winning film Parasite inspired from a Tamil film?

Thalapathy Vijay’s Minsara Kanna, when released in 1999, was one of the biggest hits then in Kollywood that year
Updated 17 Feb, 2020

South Korean dark comedy thriller film, Parasite, created history this year by bagging multiple awards— including Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Foreign Film and the first-ever foreign-language release to win the Best Film award at the Oscars.

But it seems Tamil producer PL Thenappan, who holds the rights of the 1999 Vijay-starrer Minsara Kanna, claims that Bong Joon-Ho’s directorial is a plagiarized version of his film. The producer recently announced that he will sue the makers of Parasite and pursue a legal course of action against them.

The producer added that he will also claim compensation for stealing credit for his work.

Poster for South Korean film, Parasite
Poster for South Korean film, Parasite

“On Monday or Tuesday, I will be filing a case with the help of an international lawyer. They have taken the plot from my film. When they find out that some of our films have been inspired by their films, they file cases. Similarly, it is only fair for us to do the same,” said Thenappan while talking to an Indian publication.

Parasite is a dark comedy thriller that follows the members of a poor family who scheme to become employed by a wealthy family by infiltrating their household and posing as unrelated, highly qualified individuals.

Tamil film Minsara Kanna revolves around a wealthy boy who decides to work for a businesswoman and employs every member of his family at the businesswoman’s house to succeed in love.

Although social media has refused to take the plagiarism claims seriously, Thenappan insisted he means business. He has, however, failed to file a case so far.

Comments

shoaib Feb 17, 2020 04:48pm
It was at least not original screenplay. Tamil movies have been copied all around even by Bollywood.
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ahmad Feb 17, 2020 05:17pm
even though the film may not be plagiarized, but one has to admit that for 80% of the time it was a Govinda comedy movie and nothing extra- ordinary in terms of plot. Yes the direction was great. Its oscars were because of the 'inclusion' and other factors.
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Right Voice Feb 17, 2020 10:26pm
It's quite possible as Tamil films have a big following in Asia.
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Parvez Feb 17, 2020 11:41pm
Every achievement is in one form or another inspired by some older achievement .... So ?
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HKG Feb 18, 2020 09:09am
South korea has to pay for damages.
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Iram Feb 18, 2020 10:15am
almost 90% of Indian's movies (including Bollywood/Tollywood) are copies of Hollywood movies and claiming they claiming that someone copied their movies, ridiculous.
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ex Feb 18, 2020 01:45pm
its like made in china cellphones company claming that apple and samsung copied thiers.
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Mani Feb 18, 2020 02:32pm
Totally different plot. Parasite is about poverty and class system. The Tamil film is an out and out love story.
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Najana Naismith Feb 18, 2020 04:53pm
Lollywood & Bollywood do copy Hollywood but this is pure bunk I saw the Tamil movie I have its DVD but it’s no Parasite. Now waiting for Lollywood to make a romantic version of Parasite !
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Alishba Feb 19, 2020 07:04pm
@Iram Almost 95% of lollywood movies are copied from bollywood and hollywood. Thankfully the trend is changing now.
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Silly Tamil Feb 20, 2020 07:51am
Then rich family work for a poor person? Poor family working for the rich has been around since the mankind started walking with two feet. Get real.
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