UTV and director Shoojit Sircar have won the legal copyright battle against their rival production house Percept Pictures in regards to the canned film Johnny Mastana. In 2008, an order was passed in favour of Percent restricting UTV and Sircar from making Johnny Mastana (aka as Shoebite and Johnny Walker). UTV had filed a counter-appeal which they've now won, thereby paving the best way for the discharge of a movie that the massive B holds very with regards to his heart.
Now with court giving UTV an all-clear verdict, the film is prepared to be refurbished and revived. We hear the large B who considers Johnny Mastana one of the crucial challenging films of his career could be very concerned about seeing the film released.
However, one major impediment remains before the long-delayed film sees the sunshine of day.
Hollywood's most persistent Indian filmmaker Manoj Night Shyamalan was speculated to have made a movie at the same subject as Johnny Mastana. On hearing of Johnny Mastana, he had imposed a restraining order at the film's release expressing his film the tale on his own. However, no progress have been made on Shyamalan's proposed project.
While UTV and Percept avoided commenting, director Shoojit Sircar couldn't contain his relief. "The timing of the court order in our favour couldn't was better. It comes when my third feature film Vicky Donor is at the verge of release. We've retrieved my second feature film Johnny Mastana from Percept. Now we have to get it released from Manoj Shyamalan. I CANNOT discuss UTV's plans on this respect. But I KNOW that the court verdict has given me new hope. Greater than my very own despondency on the way the film was smothered, I felt bad because Mr. Bachchan had poured his life into Johnny Mastana. Now I DO KNOW the film might be released. I'M sure Mr. Shyamalan would see reason. He hasn't even started his film. Ours is complete and ready."
