‘Password’ controversy: Shakib Khan replies to plagiarism allegations

Seems like the controversy surrounding the Bangla flick “Password” is still raging since the introduction of its trailer to the theatrical release in June.

Superstar Shakib Khan, who is the lead and producer of the movie, replied to a show cause notice by the Bangladesh Film Censor Board strongly protesting the allegation of plagiarism on July 1.

The censor board on June 24 asked the producers of “Password” to explain whether the movie is an original work.

Producers of “Password” Shakib Khan and Md Iqbal explained in their reply that their movie has a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes, while “The Target” has a length of 75 minutes. They also claimed that the Bangla movie has fundamental differences with the Korean flick regarding plot characters.

“Password” was released during the Eid holiday this year in 177 theatres. A maker of television dramas and commercials, Ananda Kutum hurled allegations at the movie, claiming that it is a copy of a Korean film titled “The Target.”

Ananda had also filed a written complaint in this regard with the censor board, alleging that nowhere does the movie “Password” state it has taken story cues from a Korean movie, or had the legal rights to remake it.

He further claimed that “Password” copied the story, scenes, camera shots, props and action sequences of “The Target,” a Korean action thriller released in 2014.

Criticising the alleged plagiarism, Ananda said such practice will discourage future movie-makers and it is also a violation of the existing regulations.

Fueling the controversy surrounding the movie as soon as its release, one of the producers had declared a Tk 10 lakh reward for anyone who could prove allegations of plagiarism against “Password.” He also announced to quit the movie business if any similarity is proven with the Korean film.

“Password” features a star studded cast comprised of Shakib Khan, Emon, Bubly, Misha Sawdagor and Amit Hassan.