Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 6, 2018)

Cinephiles were treated to the first trailer of Shah Rukh Khan's Zero when the actor took to Twitter to share a minute-long teaser of his dwarfed self, dancing and prancing around on screen. While twitterverse was thankful for this New Year gift, many were quick to pull the actor up for his choice of words.

Khan, it appears, had chosen a work of Mithilesh Baria as caption for his trailer, and had missed giving the poet his due credit. Baria, who had indeed penned the line: Ticket liye baithe hai log meri zindagi ki, tamasha bhi pura hona chahiye (People have purchased the tickets to watch my life story; the drama should also be complete) isn’t miffed with the makers, but is certain to point out their apathy. This appears to be a lapse on their part. But when the project is of this stature, all a writer wants is to be credited for his creation.”

Asserting that he was “shocked and hurt” with the development, Baria says it was his fans who brought the folly to his notice. “It appears that the line is a part of the film's narrative, not a mere tweet. So, I hope they give me my due credit.”

The poet however points out that director Aanand L Rai reached out to him as soon as the lapse was brought to his notice. “He assured me that it was a mistake, and he would do his best to rectify it. I am not sure how he will do so. Will Shah sa’ab put out another tweet crediting me? Rai- ji seemed like an affable man. I hope they are fair.”