Latest news with #Copyright(Amendment)Act
News18
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Javed Akhtar Says Mahesh Bhatt Opposed Copyright Act: ‘He's Messiah Of The Poor'
Javed Akhtar helped pass the 2012 Copyright (Amendment) Act, securing lifelong royalties for creatives, despite opposition from filmmakers like Yash Chopra and Mahesh Bhatt. Javed Akhtar, a well-known screenwriter, lyricist, and poet, has made a huge impact on India's creative world. While many admire his artistic work, few know about his important role in the passing of the Copyright (Amendment) Act in 2012. This law, passed by both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, protected the rights of writers, lyricists, music composers, actors, authors, and other creative professionals. In a recent chat with Mid-Day, Javed Akhtar shared how he got involved in the fight for copyright reform. Javed Akhtar mentioned that his involvement started when the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) asked him to lead. He admitted he didn't understand publishing rights before that. 'I had know idea publishing ka matlab kya hai. When I would sign contracts, they would take all the rights; I was not aware of that," he said. Javed Akhtar recalled that music directors had come to his house, expressing their frustration. After accepting the role, Javed began to understand the extent of exploitation faced by creative professionals. He realised that the only way to bring about real change was to amend the country's laws. 'Music directors came to my house and said, 'We are being badly exploited. They give us unfair contracts, and we want you to become IPRS chairman'. I realised that no music director or writer dared to stand up against the music companies and producers alone because they would ban them. The only solution was to change the law of the country," he said. Javed Akhtar faced opposition while fighting for the rights of creative professionals, with filmmakers like Yash Chopra and Mahesh Bhatt against him. He recalled, 'Some very big stars and producer-filmmakers were meeting people and opposing the bill. I will take their name – Yash Chopra and Mahesh Bhatt. Mahesh Bhatt is the 'messiah of the poor' from that side… because 'poor producers' needed his help. When I met him at the airport, he said, 'We have come to oppose your bill.' I told him he had all the right. I even offered to help him with appointments with the political leaders." The Copyright (Amendment) Act of 2012 changed the Copyright Act of 1957. It gave songwriters, artists, and performers the right to earn royalties for life. The new law made sure that creators own the rights to their work, instead of producers taking them. First Published: May 12, 2025, 08:16 IST
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mahesh Bhatt was the 'messiah of the poor' as he joined Yash Chopra and other producers in opposing the The Copyright (Amendment) Act, says Javed Akhtar: 'I was boycotted by producers'
Javed Akhtar played a key role in the passing of the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012. In a recent interview, the legendary screenwriter has spoken about what made him take the action to approach political leaders in order to pass this bill. Akhtar also admitted to have faced a lot of opposition from producers from the industry, including Yash Chopra and Mahesh Bhatt . Some production houses have still boycotted Javed Akhtar and haven't worked with him since then, he revealed. The lyricist said in an interview with Mid-day, "Music directors came to my house and said, 'We are being badly exploited. Operation Sindoor Op Sindoor: IC-814 hijackers, Pulwama plotters among over 100 terrorists killed 'We lost 5 soldiers in Operation Sindoor,' says DGMO 'Pak Army lost 35 to 40 personnel': Takeaways from armed forces' briefing on Op Sindoor They give us unfair contracts, and we want you to become IPRS (Indian Performing Right Society) chairman. I realised that no music director or writer dared to stand up against the music companies and producers alone because they would ban them. The only solution was to change the law of the country." He further added that during that time, leaders from the ruling party PM Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi — and the Opposition — Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj — got together to get the bill passed in both houses of the Parliament. However, he faced a lot of opposition from the industry. He said, "Some very big stars and producer-filmmakers were meeting people and opposing the bill. I will take their name – Yash Chopra and Mahesh Bhatt.' Javed further joked, "Mahesh Bhatt is the 'messiah of the poor' from that side… because 'poor producers' needed his help. When I met him at the airport, he said, 'We have come to oppose your bill.' I told him he had all the right. I even offered to help him with appointments with the political leaders.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo He added, "There was a meeting where many producers, for some of whom I have written blockbuster films, passed a resolution that I shouldabe boycotted. Then somebody told them that it was illegal to boycott somebody; they aren't very educated people anyway. Then they changed their stance and decided to suggest to people not to work with me till this problem was resolved. I lost many productions; even today they aren't working with me."
Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Javed Akhtar recalls Yash Chopra, ‘messiah of the poor' Mahesh Bhatt opposing Copyright Act aimed at ending exploitation of creatives; says producers boycotted him
Javed Akhtar is known as one of India's most prolific screenwriters, lyricists, and poets. While he is celebrated for his many creative roles, not many know that he also played a pivotal part in the passing of the Copyright (Amendment) Act in 2012. The Act, which was passed in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, safeguarded the rights of writers, lyricists, music composers, actors, authors, and other creative professionals. In a recent interaction with Mid-Day, Javed Akhtar recalled how he got involved in the battle for copyright reform. During the conversation, Javed recalled that it all began when the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) approached him to become the head of the non-profit organisation. He admitted that before this, he didn't know about publishing rights. 'I had know idea publishing ka matlab kya hai. When I would sign contracts, they would take all the rights; I was not aware of that,' he said. 'Music directors came to my house and said, 'We are being badly exploited. They give us unfair contracts, and we want you to become IPRS chairman,'' Javed recalled. After taking on the role, Javed Akhtar began to understand the depth of exploitation faced by creative professionals. He realised that the only way to bring about real change was to amend the country's law. 'I realised that no music director or writer dared to stand up against the music companies and producers alone because they would ban them. The only solution was to change the law of the country,' he said. 'With this idea, I went to Delhi and looked at my good luck. During this time, they nominated me to the Rajya Sabha, so my access was unbelievable,' he said. Akhtar also recalled meeting political leaders from both the then-ruling Congress party — PM Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi — and the Opposition BJP — Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj — to get the bill passed in both houses of the Parliament. He ultimately managed to gain the support of both sides. He recalled, 'Mrs Gandhi reacted so strongly. Her face was red when she read the contract that the music companies were making music composers and singers sign. She told me to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.' Javed shared that all the political leaders whom he met agreed to help him, irrespective of the party they belonged to. 'It was the most blatant exploitation,' Javed said. While Javed was working to secure the rights of creative professionals, he did face hurdles, and filmmakers like Yash Chopra and Mahesh Bhatt were among those who opposed him. Recalling the same, he said, 'Some very big stars and producer-filmmakers were meeting people and opposing the bill. I will take their name – Yash Chopra and Mahesh Bhatt.' Taking a jibe at Mahesh Bhatt, Javed said, 'Mahesh Bhatt is the 'messiah of the poor' from that side… because 'poor producers' needed his help. When I met him at the airport, he said, 'We have come to oppose your bill.' I told him he had all the right. I even offered to help him with appointments with the political leaders.' Javed Akhtar didn't just face opposition from Mahesh Bhatt and Yash Chopra; many in the film industry even boycotted him and refused to work with him. 'There was a meeting where many producers, for some of whom I have written blockbuster films, passed a resolution that I should be boycotted. Then somebody told them that it was illegal to boycott somebody; they aren't very educated people anyway. Then they changed their stance and decided to suggest to people not to work with me till this problem was resolved. I lost many productions; even today they aren't working with me,' he said. The Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012, amended the original Copyright Act of 1957. It granted songwriters, artists and performers the lifelong right to claim royalties for their works. Parliament passed the act after noting that, under the existing law, the benefits of creative artistes were being appropriated by producers. The act recognised authors as the rightful owners of the copyright and stated that it could not be assigned to producers.
