Karma hits back! ‘Shahid’ writer Sameer Gautam blames Apurva Asrani for stealing his credit

From past few days, controversy around Kangana Ranaut‘s upcoming movie ‘Simran’ has been constantly making it to the headlines. Apurva Asrani, who is writer of the film, has blamed Kangana Ranaut for stealing his credit. The actress has apparently helped in the scripting of the film ‘Simran’ and hence, has been given the credit of the writer in the film. This has not gone down with the original writer who vented out his frustration over Facebook through a long post. But well, as said Karma hits back, Apurva Asrani seems to have got a taste of his own medicine. Sameer Gautam, the actual writer of the film ‘Shahid’, has blamed Apurva Asrani for stealing his limelight. (Also Read: ‘Simran’ producer Shailesh Singh comes out in support of Kangana Ranaut and opposes Apurva Asrani)

Sameer Gautam has written a long post on Facebook stating how Apurva Asrani took away all the credit for the work done by him. “He had hijacked the credit and positioned himself as the writer from the time it got screened in MAMI,” claims Sameer in his post.

Here’s Sameer Gautam’s post.

This is personal rant so please do not get irked by the heavy usage of “I” in the story. It is based on a true story just like the film Shahid.

So, where do I start?

Let me start by saying that I am the writer of Shahid that no one in the industry knows about except my team and my Director. You all know of Apurva Asrani as the writer of ‘Shahid’. Am I right?

From the first day of my research where I did not even have Shahid Azmi’s address to the final shooting script and till the end of production, after which I also worked on the subtitles for the film’s festival cut.

Apurva Asrani joined early as an editor and I had tremendous respect for him. Here was a man so humble, so friendly and with such stellar work, the editor of the great seminal film ‘Satya’ in his repertoire. It made me believe in cinema more, it reminded me why we do what we do.

Now let me talk about why I left Delhi (where I had a career) and joined this industry where as they say, “money talks and bullshit walks.” A business where we are constantly selling and nobody gives a crap about reflecting human dignity. One man cared though. That man is Hansal Mehta; I call him Sir. I haven’t in my life called a lot of people Sir. Only 2 and Hansal Sir is second in that list, the first being my mentor back in Delhi, his name is Sameer Hans (irrelevant in this case, sorry Sir and anyways you are not on Facebook.)

So now coming back to the point of this post, ‘Shahid’ was written, shot and Apurva was now editing it. During which Apurva referred me to Nila Madhab Panda, for a film titled ‘Jalpari’. This was a wonderful gesture from Apurva’s side and my respect for him was at its peak. Deepak Venkatesha was the screenplay writer of the film.

A few weeks later, when I came back to Mumbai and met Hansal Sir, the festival cut was ready. We worked on the subtitles for the festival cut and by Gods grace, our film was selected in TIFF, just to let you know, I was supposed to have a “Written By” credit then.

One day, not much later, I got to know from a team member that Apurva is insisting on a screenwriting credit for the film. Sir was happy with this cut and he then spoke to me about this. At first, I did not know what to say and then I said “No!” because I had given the film 4 years of my life with nothing but that to show for it. Apurva kept at it and refused to work any further unless he was given a Screenplay credit for Editing this ‘Fresh approach/ Narrative’ to the film. Hansal Sir was in a Catch 22 situation and I could see it. It was difficult for him. He did not want to lose either of us. As much as he fought for me, he finally gave in to Apurva’s demands and agreed to give him the credit. Hansal Sir felt sorry towards me, but I was clear that I will not continue to work for/ with him if he has Apurva in his team from thereon. It was difficult but jo sahi hai, usmein sochna kya?(If it’s right, there’s nothing left to think!). I come from small town in India, that’s just how we’re made.

Hansal Sir and I attempted to write a few times before and after ‘Shahid’s release, but it did not work out. After which he got busy with ‘Citylights’. I too, was working on a script. We soon lost touch. I tried to get work but everywhere I went people asked me if I was the real writer of ‘Shahid’. I also have a shortcoming, I must disclose it. I have a fair idea about what I want in a story and am a little strong headed when it comes to this. So, obviously things did not materialize with most industry folk. I am not even a charmer like Apurva. It was a struggle to prove yourself against a man with a better face recall. He had hijacked the credit and positioned himself as the writer from the time it got screened in MAMI. I was not there and it is my fault. I was attending to my ailing mother in Delhi and I had to be there.

Now, you may ask me why I kept quiet? I don’t know. But people from nondescript small towns like me will connect with this. We have nothing from where we come. We have this quiet arrogance about ourselves because we don’t bullshit our way up. We are passionate and we work hard to be good at whatever we do. A credit monger can take away your credit but how can he or she take your ability away. So, I left it at that.

Why Speak now? Though what is happening is not astounding for me because I am a Cinephile, the sheer magnitude of this hypocrisy is nauseating. Calling Hansal Mehta to show spine?… Huhh… Well, tell me a Director in the last 5 years who has done more in India for the voiceless Indian. You know what; I call that “Spine”. Unwavering and risking everything to show the plight of the voiceless human existence. Questioning our blind and often ancient logic by which we look at our lives, comprehend it. He is a humanist. If that is not showing spine than I don’t know what it really means.

Being an insider, I know I am not the only one Mr. Asrani has stepped over. He is a regular offender. Writers and Editors please make note. This man is bad news. I urge the people supporting Mr. Asrani to show the same support to me. I know nothing apart from what Mr. Asrani has said about the wrong committed against him and I’m sure you may have strong opinions about what really happened there, but this is what I have faced.

You know my story now. You tell me what’s right.

Nikita Thakkar

A strongly opinionated, free-spirited, budding Bollywood journalist, she likes to write anything in her own quirky style. When not running around to get assigned tasks completed, you will find her either painting, indulging in photography or dreaming in the la la land.