Film Federation of India bans Javed Akhtar

[Sachin=GOD]

The film industry is known for being one big family. But after the copyright issue, in which famed lyricist Javed Akhtar lobbied in parliament for the rights of writers and singers, a visible crack has appeared in this façade of camaraderie. The Film Federation of India, the mother body of all film associations, has "advised members of the film federation to not employ the services" of the iconic writer. The decision was taken yesterday morning in Chennai by its newly elected president, T.P. Agrawal. When contacted Agrawal put it mildly, saying, "Yes, it is true. We have advised members of the film federation to ban Mr Javed Akhtar till the time that this entire copyrights issue is sorted. Our whole point is that the producer is the one who takes the entire risk. If Javed Akhtar wants a percentage as royalty, then he should also be liable to incur a percentage of the losses, if any. If we agree to one such demand, then tomorrow the singer will come up, then the music composer, and then the actor and so on. What will the producer do and how will he make films? The producer won't be able to make any money. I just want to say that if you want royalty, then don't take our money. Merely let's work as a partnership and also share the losses, if any." When we asked Agrawal what would happen if someone went ahead and still worked with Akhtar, he said, "We can't force anyone but it is an advice given to everyone. We will think about it when the time comes." Ashoke Pandit, senior executive member of AMPTPP, Association of Motion Pictures & Television Programme Producers, is accusing Javed Akhtar of a more personal agenda. He said, "Why is Javed Akhtar saying this at the *** end of his career? Why didn't he raise these issues when he was at his peak? Basically his whole idea is to not allow any newcomers to mushroom in the industry. Instead of being with the producer, you are damaging the producer. It's a good thing that everyone has come together and taken a decision." When contacted Mukesh Bhatt said, "I am not aware of this decision as I have not spoken to either party. However, having said that, I think it is more out of emotions than a decision. I think that the way in which the government has handled the whole copyright issue which has created the divide in the film industry. As a Senior VP of the Guild my grouse is not against the composer or the lyricist; it is against the government." Despite repeated calls and text messages to Javed Akhtar, at the time of going to print, he was still unavailable for comment.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment-Bollywood-News-Interviews/Film-Federation-of-India-bans-Javed-Akhtar/articleshow/7155114.cms

[Rajiv]

Still don't get the issue, whats going on?

[DomainK]

I think Akhtar is demanding royalty on the profits made from the songs that he has written. Dumb idea, honestly.

[Sachin=GOD]

Still don't get the issue' date=' whats going on?[/quote'] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Royalty-recommendation-to-lyricists-composers-not-music-to-producers-ears/articleshow/7050253.cms basically the lyricists/composers of songs want royalty from producers for their songs being used in films. Currently any such royalties go to the producers and the music companies. Currently, the norm in the film industry is for such ‘author-composers’ to sign away their rights to royalties to producers, in exchange for a flat fee. http://m.economictimes.com/PDAET/articleshow/msid-6991795,curpg-1.cms

[DomainK]

I cant see what the dispute is about. If Akhtar wants such an arrangement (which I think is quite unreasonable), he can always bring his conditions to the table and the producer will sign him up of he agrees. If they cant reach a mutual agreement, they wont together. Where is the dispute? I hope he has not demanded royalty from a producer/music company after signing an agreement, because that would be very unprofessional.

[Zap_Brannigan]

This was the main reason that John Lennon and Paul Mccartney started writing their own songs for The Beatles and this is how it works in western world. However this should be an option and should be open to discussion between the writer, the composer and the producer. Infact, pretty much every entertainment creator in the west be it movies, comic books, music are given royalty. For example, if a song is played in an ad, the writer of the song and the rights holder of the song gets royalty. Banning him is a draconian move.

[Rajiv]

I think Akhtar is demanding royalty on the profits made from the songs that he has written. Dumb idea' date=' honestly.[/quote'] ..will read more, see from the link that our old uncle Pahlaj is still around, but is it a 2 way clause, mend with loss and profit Lagta Mumbai phone karna padega, this is hilarious

[asterix]

Why should song and script writers, music composers make extra effort for the success of the movie if they don't get a % as bonus for the success of the movie? If producers take risk then why not they go for rookie actors, music composers, script and song writers every time?

[Guest Gunner]

This was the main reason that John Lennon and Paul Mccartney started writing their own songs for The Beatles and this is how it works in western world. However this should be an option and should be open to discussion between the writer, the composer and the producer. Infact, pretty much every entertainment creator in the west be it movies, comic books, music are given royalty. For example, if a song is played in an ad, the writer of the song and the rights holder of the song gets royalty. Banning him is a draconian move.

Exactly, its unthinkable in the west that someone wouldn't get royalty for a composition. Banning him is just nuts.

[DomainK]

Exactly' date=' its unthinkable in the west that someone wouldn't get royalty for a composition. Banning him is just nuts.[/quote'] That happens in the west. But in India there has been a different trend and it's there for reason. JA should have been more professional in his approach.

[suma25]

The lyricists/songwriters and the producers had a meeting earlier this yr where javed akhtar and amir khan had a minor tiff and nothing came out of it .After that nothing was happening so javed akhtar lobbied hard with the help of his wife to get the bill passed.

[The Outsider]

That happens in the west. But in India there has been a different trend and it's there for reason. JA should have been more professional in his approach.

What's the reason which is so important that artists have to deprived of the royalties from their creations?

[Nova]

What's the reason which is so important that artists have to deprived of the royalties from their creations?

Because some of these artists themselves rip off plots and sometimes the entire script from western movies and yeah songs too. Share the dough for original creations but not for a copy paste job. Bollywood has no set standards in this regard.

[Clarke]

Why cant a writer demand a percentage of profits as part of the contract ? Its silly to have laws on this.

[The Outsider]

Because some of these artists themselves rip off plots and sometimes the entire script from western movies and yeah songs too. Share the dough for original creations but not for a copy paste job. Bollywood has no set standards in this regard.

I hope the above post is facetious. Because to avoid royalties on plagiarized material, punishing the ones who make original work does not make any sense.

Why cant a writer demand a percentage of profits as part of the contract ? Its silly to have laws on this.

Because the movie fraternity is a small, closed loop with a handful of big, influential producers who can collude to have the contracts designed heavily in their favor in the absence of regulation.

[DomainK]

What's the reason which is so important that artists have to deprived of the royalties from their creations?

Unlike in the west and some other countries, this is a different case. The success of a song depends on various things out of which the music or lyrics composition is just a part. The star-cast, the sets, the choreography, the risks of releasing the movie, the risks of making losses on a movie. Take the example of the recent hit- Sheila Ki Jawani. The song is a hot not because of the music or the lyrics. It's purely Katrina and the way she has danced or exposed. That is an investment the producer makes and that is a risk the producer takes.

[Nova]

Because to avoid royalties on plagiarized material' date=' punishing the ones who make original work does not make any sense.[/quote'] I did say that share the dough (i.e. pay royalties) for original creations.

[DomainK]

And what next? My designer will demand a share in the profits from the campaign? The copywriter as well?

[The Outsider]

Unlike in the west and some other countries' date=' this is a different case. The success of a song depends on various things out of which the music or lyrics composition is just a part. The star-cast, the sets, the choreography, the risks of releasing the movie, the risks of making losses on a movie. Take the example of the recent hit- Sheila Ki Jawani. The song is a hot not because of the music or the lyrics. It's purely Katrina and the way she has danced or exposed. That is an investment the producer makes and that is a risk the producer takes.[/quote'] The demand is not for the artists to take all the profit or royalties. They are asking for a certain percentage.

[DomainK]

The demand is not for the artists to take all the profit or royalties. They are asking for a certain percentage.

Then they can and they should ask for it and those who are agreeing will pay it. Simple. JA is making an issue out of it for nothing.