Rachana Dubey (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 29, 2014)

The last schedule of Ajay Devgn's upcoming film, Action Jackson, is going on in full-swing as it has to meet its November 7 deadline. Mirror has learnt that it has also become the first movie to be filmed inside the Mumbai Metro's yard.

A few days ago, director Prabhu Dheva shot action-packed scenes with Ajay in the premises at Andheri's DN Nagar yard, where the coaches are parked at night for repairs and maintenance. The scenes feature Ajay fighting off the baddies against the backdrop of metro coaches.

Producer Gordhan Tanwani confirmed the news saying: "The scenes are a part of the climax. They are high-octane action sequences and have turned out really well. We're delighted to have managed to shoot inside the yard with the stationary trains. It was a brilliant idea, and it brings novelty to the scenes. No one has shot a film there so far and it was an unexplored location within the city. The authorities cooperated with us and granted permission in time for the schedule." 

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; May 19, 2014)

Actress Yami Gautam is all set to star in Action Jackson, a film that pairs her opposite Ajay Devgn. And if the latest buzz is to be believed, the actress recently got into a verbal spat with Gordhan Tanwani, the film’s producer.

Says a source, “The producer wanted Yami to work with a different makeup artiste and he even had a word with that makeup person without Yami’s consent. This didn’t go down well with the actress. As soon as she got to know about this, she had an argument with the producer and she reinstated her usual makeup artiste.” Action Jackson has been plagued by problems for quite some time now - be it the film’s title or the delay in shoots pushing ahead the film’s release date.

When contacted, Gordhan Tanwani said, “There’s been no such incident. I don’t know from where all these rumours are coming from. We will shoot the film’s last schedule in Mumbai from July 12.”

Yami Gautam remained unavailable for comment.

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; March 28, 2014)

Sonakshi Sinha is a much relieved actress today. Reason being that her two upcoming films, Action Jackson and Holiday — A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, are not releasing on the same day after all. Action Jackson is running behind schedule after its Bangkok schedule couldn’t be completed, due to the political strife in the Thai capital. One hears that there is at least a couple of weeks of active shooting left on her action caper with Ajay Devgn. Post his return from Bangkok, the actor has plunged headlong into Rohit Shetty’s Singham 2. So the producers have moved out of the June 6 slot, leaving it fully and completely open for Sonakshi’s other movie Holiday, with Akshay Kumar.

When contacted, Action Jackson producer Gordhan Tanwani declined to comment on the political strife in Bangkok. He said, “Woh toh chalte rehta hai… That issue is not a problem.” As for the release date, he maintained, “We’re definitely not coming on June 6. I’m currently out of town, and Prabhu Dheva is also travelling. We’ll meet after getting back and take a call on the release date. Until then, I can’t say anything more on this.” 

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; March 13, 2014)

Earlier there was a row over the film’s title and now its shoot schedule has been delayed. Looks like the makers of Action Jackson have been hopping from one problem to another. The film, starring Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha and Yaami Gautam, is directed by Prabhu Dheva. “Though the film is almost complete, its last schedule has now been delayed. Some vital scenes from the film are yet to be shot. Constant change in schedules have caused this delay,” says a unit member.

It may be recalled that the film ran into trouble when Hollywood studio Warner Bros pointed out that they own the copyrights to the title.

The studio has sent the filmmakers a legal notice alleging copyright infringement. “Warner Bros had made a movie by the same name back in 1988. With the makers of the Ajay Devgn- starrer adamant about not changing their film’s name, its release date is no longer clear. It was supposed to release on June 6, and coincide with the release of the Akshay Kumar film, Holiday, “ adds a source.

When contacted, the film’s producer Gowardhan Tanwani said, “We are yet to shoot the last schedule of the film and I will soon meet Prabhu sir and Ajay. After our meeting, we will decide about the last schedule of the film and its release date.”

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; February 20, 2014)

The Action Jackson title war is getting messier with each passing day. Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt Ltd has written a letter warning Baba Arts Ltd (Gordhan Tanwani) that they cannot use the title for their Ajay Devgn starrer. As reported earlier, Warner maintains that they have the same title for their Craig R Baxley film, which had Carl Weathers and Sharon Stone in the lead. And, the sole rights for the title lie with them.

There’s also another clever twist. The legal team representing Warner clearly states that they are taking legal recourse on behalf of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., which is an independent entity and not a member of the Indian Film & TV Producers’ Council. They have therefore made it clear that Warner Bros. Pictures (India) will not attend a joint meeting, as suggested by the Indian Producers’ Council, to settle the title dispute with Tanwani since the warning has been issued on behalf of the parent studio.

So, where is the twist? An industry source explains that when studios like Warner Bros. Pictures (India) release their movies in India, they deal with local associations — like the Indian Producers’ Council — to register titles for the English films that they dub in Indian languages. They need a clearance from the Indian film associations to release their movies here. However, when it comes to fighting for their rights, in this case, for the title Action Jackson, the legal team has reportedly made it clear to Tanwani, that if he wishes to initiate any dialogue, it will be with their studio that is based in California.

There is one more development. Along with the title infringement issue, the foreign company has also asked for a copy of the screenplay of the Bollywood film, because this time around, they wish to ensure that there are no similarities between the original Hollywood film and the Bollywood one.

On these latest developments, Tanwani said, “My legal team is doing what they have to. I’m also likely to have a meeting with the producers’ council on February 22. Even as the title issue is being dealt with, there is the issue of their request to see the screenplay. I will not allow that because the script of a film is confidential. I can only share it with them after my film releases. And, if that at time, they find any similarities they are welcome to take suitable action.”

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; February 11, 2014)

Hollywood Studios are increasingly active in watching what Bollywood is up to these days. And it’s not just the concept and stories they are possessive about. even if Bollywood registers a title similar to that of a western film, it is proving to be dangerous.
 
On top of mind is the example of a Hollywood studio asking Gordhan Tanwani, the producer of Action Jackson to change his title or reportedly face the consequences for title infringement because they had registered it for the Indian market as well.

Shekhar Suman acquired the copyright to remake Awake before starting work on Heartless. Obviously, he didn’t want last minute litigation like the producers of Jodi Breakers, who were sued for copying the French film, L’Arnacoeur aka Heartbreakers. Or like the makers of Knock Out who also faced a litigation for copying Phone Booth, a few days before its release.

Before Action Jackson, the makers of R… Rajkumar were issued a notice whereby they had to take out the name ‘Rambo’ from their title. And stick to a plain R...Rajkumar. Calling this title battle a new development, Gordhan says, “My title has been in public domain for about a year. Warner’s Indian company has also made films here after registering their titles with our film associations. When they’re working here, they work as per association norms. If they had any problem, they should have referred it to the association. Why send a letter through their California-based lawyers and give 48 hours to reply?”

Ravi Chopra, who was making Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai with Govinda, Lara Dutta and Tabu had a tough time dealing with the copyright case by the producers of the Hollywood film, My Cousin Vinny, who claimed that the Hindi filmmaker had copied their content.

Producer Ratan Jain concedes that it is wrong to copy western films without acquiring the rights. However, he feels that the foreign studios should not extend their vigilance to Hindi film titles, “When an association registers a title for a Hindi film, if the same title being used by a Teugu film for a different subject, it’s okay. Because it’s a different ball game in a country like India. If English titles are copyrighted, then what will our producers do? Not just Hindi, but many films made in South Indian and other regional languages have English titles.”

Another producer concedes that title tattles are no big deal. “If copyright has been infringed by plagiarising content, then it is a case. Just having a title for a film doesn’t mean that no one can use it for life or you need someone’s permission. There’s no compulsion here that American laws have to be followed in India. It’s up to the producers to decide whether they want to contest the Hollywood studio’s claim or give in.”

The Hollywood film company asks the Bollywood film’s producers to change their title because they have it registered for India as well 
Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; February 6, 2014)

Action Jackson is a 1988 Hollywood action thriller that had Carl Weathers and Sharon Stone as part of the lead cast. In what is an unhappy coincidence, Action Jackson is also the title of Ajay Devgn’s latest film being produced by Gordhan Tanwani. Apparently, on February 4, Warner Bros gave the makers of the Bollywood film a 48-hour notice to change the title or face consequences because the title ‘Action Jackson’ is registered by them for the sub-continent as well.

The letter has been sent to Baba Films (Gordhan Tanwani) and Eros International, the makers of AJ. On his part, Tanwani says, “I will not give up my title that easily. I have registered it with all the producers’ associations — like IMPPA (Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association), the Guild, AMPTPP (Association of Motion Pictures and Television Programme Producers) and even the film association based out of Hyderabad. My film is being made in Hindi and not in English. When you register a title with any or all of these associations, they get their clearance from the Government of India. There is a procedure that is followed. The producer (in this case, I) seeks to register a title with the various associations who, in turn, inform each other about it. There is a waiting period of a month or so. During this time, if there are no objections raised, then an NOC (No Objection Certificate) is issued to the producer and the title is registered against his name. I have done my due diligence. I will now reply to the letter from Warner Bros’ lawyers with all facts duly stated. Obviously, Eros will be in the loop on developments. And then we will await the outcome.’’

Tanwani adds, “If there is an unfortunate turn of events and even a Government of India clearance cannot guarantee me my title, then I will decide what is the future course of action to be taken. As I said at the start, I’m not giving up my title, just like that.’’