‘Saaho’: French director accuses makers of copying his film ‘Largo Winch’; calls it a ‘freemake’

Days after actress Lisa Ray accused the makers of ‘Saaho’ of plagiarism, now French director Jérôme Salle has said that ‘Saaho’ is a copy of his 2008 French thriller ‘Largo Winch’. After the movie released, several fans tweeted pointing out the similarities between ‘Saaho’ and ‘Largo Winch’. Now the director reacted to the allegations on social media.

Jérôme took to his Twitter handle to voice out his thoughts and wrote, “It seems this second “freemake” of Largo Winch is as bad as the first one.”  He also requested the Telugu directors to do it properly even if they steal his work.

Read his tweet here.

It seems this second “freemake” of Largo Winch is as bad as the first one. So please Telugu directors, if you steal my work, at least do it properly?

And as my “Indian career” tweet was of course ironic, I’m sorry but I’m not gonna be able to help. https://t.co/DWpQJ8Vyi0

— Jérôme Salle (@Jerome_Salle) September 1, 2019

On August 30,  a viewer tweeted to Jérôme saying that, “Buddy another day and another free make of your Largo Winch movie in India #Saaho. you are the real Guruji” making him aware about the similarities between the two movies. The director had a very sarcastic reply saying he will do well in the Indian film industry.

I think I have a promising career in India. https://t.co/XAiERdgUCF

— Jérôme Salle (@Jerome_Salle) August 30, 2019

This is not the first time Salle has accused a Telugu filmmaker of having plagiarised his work. In 2018, director Trivikram Srinivas was accused of copying ‘Largo Winch’ in his film ‘Agnyaathavaasi’.

Indian cinema has all the necessary talent and creativity for not having to plagiarize. And the silence from #Agnathavaasi team since one week is deafening. So let’s take action now. #LegalNotice

— Jérôme Salle (@Jerome_Salle) January 18, 2018

Lisa Ray had also accused the movie of plagiarising contemporary artist Shilo Shiv Suleman’s artwork for a poster of the film’s song ‘Baby Won’t You Tell Me’.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

What is creativity? What is art? Where does it come from? We feel what it is not. It’s not derived from your social status. Nor your job title. Nor your appearance. Creativity and its sister Art reach us from the sweet spot of the universe- the soul you might say. But I do know that the creator- artist is the channel for it. Let me tell you how hard it is to birth anything original or authentic. I personally labored for years over my book, quelled the doubts and noise from others and didn’t emerge until I was almost undone. And when I was moving through dark spaces of self-doubt or hitting creative walls I would turn to the work that @shiloshivsuleman puts out into the world and shares on her Instagram handle for inspiration. I can recognize when a creator works honourably and deeply, bleeding, sacrificing, unsleeping, stretching herself in the direction of emotional bravery to produce work that births those feelings we all look for in day to day life. To feel inspired. To feel alive. That’s why when something dishonorable happens, we need to stand up and speak up. To hold up a mirror to these makers to make them understand THIS IS NOT RIGHT. It’s come to light that a big budget film production has ripped off one of Shilo’s original creations. This is NOT inspiration but blatant theft. In no world, is this acceptable. The production did not contact the creator, ask her permission nor offer to collaborate or offer a credit. Nothing. This is not right. I believed the Hindi film industry was evolving necessarily past stealing storylines and rampant plagiarism but the producers of Shahoo have obviously not gotten the memo when it comes to art. Here’s the thing- Creators are worthy of worship. What they produce are more lasting and precious so than all the other ‘things’ we accumulate that can be taken away. Let’s hold these producers accountable for their infuriating, dishonourable action. How would you feel if a thief slid into your home and took away your most prized possessions? Your heart. Your soul. And your livelihood. Image @dietsabya

A post shared by lisaraniray (@lisaraniray) on Aug 30, 2019 at 5:05am PDT

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Also Read: ‘Saaho’ Box-Office Report: Despite bad reviews, Prabhas-Shraddha Kapoor’s actioner packs a punch