'Sholay' remake clears legal hurdles with new name

Ace Bollywood director Ram Gopal Varma's much-talked about remake of superhit "Sholay" is set for release with the Delhi High Court Monday giving it a green signal under the title "Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag".

Sasha Sippy, the grandson of G.P. Sippy who produced the 1970s hit, had approached the court to restrain Varma from releasing his film with word 'Sholay' in its title, as it would be an infringement of trademark and copyright.

However, after Varma's counsel Rajiv Nayar submitted that the name of the film had been changed and the movie was ready for release, Justice Gita Mittal dismissed the petition and allowed the producer and director to release the Amitabh Bachchan starrer.

Varma has also changed the names of two popular characters, Gabbar Singh and Basanti, to Babban Singh and Ghungroo respectively, the court was told.

Indo-Asian News Service