Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; August 17, 2015)

Family members of late Ram Kelkar, who penned the screenplay for Hero (1983), have filed a complaint with two film associations against Salman Khan and Subhash Ghai for allegedly not paying royalty even as they ready the remake for release.

Says a source, “Kelkar’s family was assured a royalty payment when Salman and Ghai announced Hero’s remake. The upcoming film’s promo has long been released, but the promised dues have not reached them yet.”

A friend of the Kelkars, reveals on the condition of anonymity that a complaint has been registered with the Film Writers’ Association and Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association against Ghai’s Mukta Arts and Salman Khan Productions for going back on their promise. “We have also asked them to give credit to Ram Kelkar as the original screenplay writer,” says the friend.

Ghai and Amar Butala from Salman Khan Productions chose not to comment on the issue. Documents related to the complaint are in mid-day’s possession.

The remake, which stars newcomers Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty, is slated to hit the theatres next month.