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I take a lot of pride in saying Barfi! is original - Anurag Basu
Barfi! Barfi! may have received all the critical acclaim and box office success, but the makers of the movie have been accused with plagiarism charges. Talking to the Times Of India, director Anurag Basu provided his side of the story. "It's very difficult to make original cinema and I take a lot of pride in saying Barfi! is original. It baffles me why people are not appreciating the original plot, screenplay, characters and situations. The other films that are contenders for the Oscars are really good films. I am very privileged to be in that group. I paid homage to the films and filmmakers that I grew up watching. Martin Scorcese and Quentin Tarantino have done the same. Does that make them thieves? Great moments of cinema that you've watched through the years, stay with you and come out in your work. It doesn't mean you're copying anyone. Thank God The Artiste was not made by an Indian. If it had been, it would have never been nominated for the Oscar, let alone winning the award." Manju Borah, chairperson of Oscars committee, India defends the film. In an interview to Hindustan Times , he says, "Had we selected any other film, we would have got the same response. I’m not bothered. Watching 20 films back to back, then choosing the best, is a tough job. There’s no vested interest. We don’t care who the maker is or who the star is. It’s the product that matters. Barfi!, we genuinely believe, is worthy," . Barfi! is India's official entry for the Oscars!
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That's why Barfi is so brilliant! It is GOOD that the film is a "copy" of so many different films that just goes to show how much MORE ORIGINAL it is!! I have a feeling Barfi will do very well at the Oscars...
And to the French person below that said the music is not Indian, this is cinema darling...not every film has to have the same genre of music.
I really like the film and the actings, I just hope Barfi as India Oscar entry don't embarrass India. Prior to Barfi success, Mr. Basu looks like a decent, honest, humble person, but when movie is super hit success has gone to much to his head he lost his mind. Shame on Mr. Basu and Indian oscar committee!! Will be grt if movie got nominated or win the Oscar, but w/ so much scenes copied it's impossible.
people always say oh it's not original for lots of movies...........
i wouldn't think anything of it.....that's the way they show their jealousy.....no one cares what they think
people liked it .............end of story.............period
senerio1= I walk 10 miles to the park, buy an icecream, and walk back 10 miles to the house. someone else who lives right next to me walks to the for 10 miles, buys an icecream and walks back. should i sue him for copying me. after all i am the only person who can walk 10 miles, buy an icecream and walk back 10 miles right?
NOW TAKE THAT EXAMPLE AND APPLY IT IN THE FILM
and you will understand how stupid this copying conversation sounds.
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LISTEN, That was NO Copying, that was Plain, Intended STEALING. It was NOT a tribute to Anyone either, it was Plain STEALING. It's Sad that you buy into the Crap of what Anurang Basu is saying.
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oh really?says who you?a nobody?go read some books dude on stealing and then we'll talk.....you uneducated people are too funnyyyyyyyyy
Lol! Are people still supporting plagiarism? Seriously, it's a great, quirky movie but sending it to the oscars? That's just embarrassing (Had the same opinion about black). If Bollywood wants to get global credibility this needs to stop.
Sat, 2012-09-29 19:30 — Anonymous
Anonymous's picture
@Sat, 2012-09-29 08:53 — Anonymous
I hate to burst your bubble, but that's not what plagiarism means. it means taking the same concept, not the same mannerisms and movements. and the concept is original. therefore no plagiarism.
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There seems to be some confusion on what plagiarism is. In the first place, "ideas" or "concepts" cannot be copyrighted. Only specific ways of expressing those ideas or concepts are protected by copyright. So, anyone can have a story about autistic/disabled people. The mere fact that two (or more) films are made on such characters doesn't mean that either is violating the copyright of the other. However, if a book copies the *exact words and phrases* from another book on a similar topic, then it has plagiarized *those words or phrases*. The entire book doesn't have to be a repeat of the original. This was the case in the Fareed Zakaria example.
So, for films, the equivalent to "exact words and phrases" is "exact shots and scenes", and that is what has been pointed out in Barfi.
Now let me also say something about "paying homage". One pays homage in a film by invoking a famous character, or a famous shot, that is *immediately recognizable* to the audience, so that no further explanation is needed on who or what is being invoked. So, for example, in Sridevi's song or scene (I can't remember which) in Mr. India, she "plays" Charlie Chaplin for a bit, by dressing up in his famous "tramp" suit, having his iconic mustache, etc. The image is immediately recognizable to the audience, so no explanation is needed, but also, it is not the main point of the song/scene. Now I haven't seen Barfi yet, but I have seen the scene comparisons, and I have to say this is plagiarism. When you repeat an entire scene or sequence so exactly, you are no longer paying homage, but plagiarizing. If the director wanted to "pay homage" to Chaplin, he would have used just one bit from that scene -- say the final one of the cop getting caught in the door (of the doors scene), or just have Ranbir walk past a ladder and look at it speculatively (in the scene from Buster Keaton's film), but not actually climb on it and teeter totter on it for so long, which is an exact replica of the original scene.
Coming to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who thinks of him as being original?? The main criticism of him nowadays is exactly that the "copies" all his films. This criticism was raised about Black when it was first released, and raised even more loudly when it was suggested that Black should be sent to the Oscars. Similarly, all the reviews (and even prerelease discussion) on Guzaarish made it clear that it was a copy of "The Sea Inside" as well as "The Prestige", as specific scenes from each film were incorporated into Guzaarish. So no one (except those who don't read reviews or are unaware of films from outside of India) is crediting Bhansali with originality.
chor machaaye shor
every second scene is copied from somewhere. and he says he has pride in this?? he is learning to blatantly lie like priyanka chopra about her surgeries and boyfriends.
these people have no real talent. they just know to make money by copying hollywood. they will get laughed at at the Oscars.
If this movie just had a few scenes dedicated as a homage to Charlie Chaplin or others, then I would have been fine. But Basu ripped off scenes from more than a dozen other movies. I am not saying the movie is not great but it certainly is not original. There's line between inspiration/homage and plagiarism. What he did in this movie was outright plagiarsim. He should have had at least the decency to mention some of those films at the end given the fact that he copied scenes from a variety of internationally acclaimed movies from different countries. Its shameful when he says he is proud even after that.
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since he was working with priyanka chopra he is inspired from her n now he is a proud lier like pc
I would have let it go if Basu had copied one scene but he copied SEVERAL scenes from Hollywood films. He thought no one would notice. I mean The Notebook scene was copied so shamelessly and blatantly. It is known to be on the best scenes in Hollywood. Come on, man, who are you trying to fool?
haha the example of walking 10 miles and getting icecream cannot even be related to this controvery
@Sat, 2012-09-29 08:53 — Anonymous
I hate to burst your bubble, but that's not what plagiarism means. it means taking the same concept, not the same mannerisms and movements. and the concept is original. therefore no plagiarism.
Sat, 2012-09-29 07:59 — Anonymous
ok let's explore this with an example::::::::::::::
senerio1= I walk 10 miles to the park, buy an icecream, and walk back 10 miles to the house. someone else who lives right next to me walks to the for 10 miles, buys an icecream and walks back. should i sue him for copying me. after all i am the only person who can walk 10 miles, buy an icecream and walk back 10 miles right?
NOW TAKE THAT EXAMPLE AND APPLY IT IN THE FILM
and you will understand how stupid this copying conversation sounds.
------------------------------
LISTEN, That was NO Copying, that was Plain, Intended STEALING. It was NOT a tribute to Anyone either, it was Plain STEALING. It's Sad that you buy into the Crap of what Anurang Basu is saying.
Kya yaar....at least let some rise without nagging them...they deserve it....y this crap....be happy with other's success...
Sat, 2012-09-29 07:49 — Anonymous
i don't understand i live in states and no one outside of india has ever said anything about barfi not being original. what's wrong with indian media man. it's ruining creativity in people.
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I'm sorry. I'm a French lady lives in Canada. I saw the movie with some of my Indian friends and before this drama started I and my boyfriend who is a movie buff knew right away that the movie is a copy of different movies and advertisments and not only one. And add to that the music is absolutely not Indian whatsoever. It ok if people like the movie and all. But just it is not original at all, and I'm sure there are many Indian talents and writers who deserve the honor that their movies to be selected to the oscars. When I say that doesn't mean I'm dragging anyone creativity. It is not creative in the first place. I hate Indian media and Indian audience can be quite offensive at time...but here it is absolutely fair to question that. The film almost if not all is a collection of different movies. It is unfair to say otherwise.
Talking to a hollywood film buff- he stated that when it comes to the oscars and foreign movies- they appreciate those the most that do depict hollywood like/inspired films (eg Cinema Pardiso) So w that in mind- I think Barfi may have a chance at the oscars this year.
some scenes are inspired i agree but nt movie....story is totally diff
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so true....some people r creating the fuss because they cant see anyone rising...shame on Indians...
i don't understand i live in states and no one outside of india has ever said anything about barfi not being original. what's wrong with indian media man. it's ruining creativity in people. literally.
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well its indian mentality to pull down people rising...shame on indians....
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so true...people r so jealous that barfi got selected of oscars...
wow black n guzaarish were copied scene to scene n people told SLB is creative....in barfi hardly few scenes have been inspired n call him copy....jealous indians...
I just don't get with some of you people. Whenever Ranbir's film is released you always think of ways to criticize it all the time I don't know why? Can't you say anything positive god! You guys never criticize Shahid Kapoor, Imran Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan films which have been flops especially their recent ones. This is really not fair. Like enough is enough. Ranbir's is a fantastic actor and his films are amazing learn to accept that instead of always making nasty comments about it whenever his films are released.
Barfi was a original film and it was not plagiarized. Stop criticizing it! You guys have no right to say that oh it was copied by bollywood movies it was not!
If this movie just had a few scenes dedicated as a homage to Charlie Chaplin or others, then I would have been fine. But Basu ripped off scenes from more than a dozen other movies. I am not saying the movie is not great but it certainly is not original. There's line between inspiration/homage and plagiarism. What he did in this movie was outright plagiarsim. He should have had at least the decency to mention some of those films at the end given the fact that he copied scenes from a variety of internationally acclaimed movies from different countries. Its shameful when he says he is proud even after that.
ok let's explore this with an example::::::::::::::
senerio1= I walk 10 miles to the park, buy an icecream, and walk back 10 miles to the house. someone else who lives right next to me walks to the for 10 miles, buys an icecream and walks back. should i sue him for copying me. after all i am the only person who can walk 10 miles, buy an icecream and walk back 10 miles right?
NOW TAKE THAT EXAMPLE AND APPLY IT IN THE FILM
and you will understand how stupid this copying conversation sounds.
i don't understand i live in states and no one outside of india has ever said anything about barfi not being original. what's wrong with indian media man. it's ruining creativity in people. literally.
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well its indian mentality to pull down people rising...shame on indians....
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I second that. now they're playing police for barfi. lol. too funny. before they didnt even understand the movie and now they're all over it like a bunch of vultures. it would be funny if it wasn't so sad. i feel like they've never watched a film in the whole lives. otherwise they would be accusing every movie of copying. give me a break people!!!!
It is such a shame..to hear this...and so embarassing.......he doesn't even give the orginal directors any credit...thats unfair
I've said it time and again and I'll say it now. Barfi is an exceptionally well made and heartwarming film,nobody is denying that. It's had its fair share of critical acclaim for the past month which is very well deserved too,since the film is well scripted,acted and directed. I respect Anurag Basu for this brilliant art,but if he's so delusional so as to suggest that Barfi is original then I feel really sorry for him.There's a fine line between paying a homage & outright plagiarism.Agreed that Basu said its a homage to Charlie Chaplin,Buster Keaton,& Mr.Bean but outright denial of scenes copied from popular films like The Notebook and Singin' In The Rain is what is called rip off.While there's certainly no problem with referencing and paying tributes to other films(in fact its a wonderful way of showing appreciation),UTV should've atleast given some credit to the original makers of the films.Give credit where credit is due,then and only then will they push away unwarranted problems from international productions.And BTW Tarantino openly references Hong Kong martial art films while Scorcese also references Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrik in a manner,but also acknowledges them.And BTW sorry to burst your bubble Mr.Basu,no matter how good a film Barfi is ,you're still not Martin Scorcese:-)
since when did paying homage become copy pasting different scenes from movies ? I was about to watch it in theater but then i saw all the copied scenes and could already tell what the story is ! No furhter imagination required ? I dont care about the Oscars, but i dont think the movie deserves this recognition.
First of all, I would like to say that the Anurag directed Barfi is amongst the awesumest movies I have seen so far. It got selected for oscars, great !! Congrats to team barfi.
I just want to ask one simple question to all people criticising the movie and regarding it as so called plagiarism.
That Anurag is a Director and Ranbir, priyanka and illeana are actors. Their job is to make movies and entertain public. But to make a movie on differently abled people and making the audience laugh is a big deal. it needs a big big effort to think about a concept and then to convert into a full fledged story. Are all these people criticizing are able to do the same.
if you have a new concept, theme or idea, then better you people make a movie on those concepts or ideas and prove yourselves by letting the selectors and all those boards to select your work for a great nomination. And prove that you can do a best job than what Anurag had done.
Really shocked to know such neagtive views that how worst people can think, and ofcourse which has no limits.
Please Mr. Basu, do not for one minute think that we are fools - we are not blind and we can very well differentiate between inspiration and plagiarism - Acknowledge your inspiration but please the copy+paste that you have done in your so called masterpiece is just not acceptable.
And even if we leave out this inspiration part of the movie - the way you have represented autistic girl as a retard who can interpret jealousy and romantic love is just making fun of the autism - where the person cannot differentiate between any kind of emotion; he is incapable of understanding emotions. And how convenient is it that the girl who cannot understand the danger of a train approaching - just remembers the phone number of the orphanage and correctly tells her address to the authorities. Really?
Barfi himself is a bipolar character where on one side he is portrayed as sensitive and smart and on the other side he behaves as a buffoon and a dim-wit. Just to put in scenes that are funny - characterization be damned? Is he really spreading happiness? Where - I just could not comprehend where the whole "spreading happiness"part went? And he is so smart that he remembers a number he barely glanced at months ago and suddenly he knows that she is not dead - do you really think we are fools?
The third character - her love for Barfi is questionable. Just because she is unhappy with her husband - she conveniently thinks that Barfi's love is much better. Wow. And her mother, I wonder which Indian woman in 70s would be so bold as to show her daughter her old flame - The Notebook was a good film but does that scene really sit with the Indian context? I don't think so.
Logic and Sense were just thrown out of the window while making the film - you copied the best scenes from various films - The Adventurer, COPS, Singing in the Rain, Lover's Concerto, Mathilukal (malayam movie), City Lights, Project A, Koshish, The Notebook - and of course the music from Amelie. You say you were paying homage to Chaplin - were you giving homage to Nicholas Sparks, Jackie Chan, Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhadhuri and all the others. Really?
So Mr. Basu - do us a favor and please take back the nomination of your film from the Oscars and let the deserving films like Paan Singh Tomar, Deool and others represent Indian in the Academy Awards.
And if you say that these kind of films do not demand the use of brain and logic should not be questioned - then what is different in it compared to Salman Khan films which have no logic in it whatsoever and demand to leave the brain at home and enjoy?