03-05-2025
Shalini Vijayakumar Denies 'Seeing Red' Plagiarism Allegations: 'Entirely Original'
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Tamil writer Jeyarani took to Instagram to claim that Seeing Red, a short film, has been plagiarized based on her short story Sevvarali Poocharam.
Seeing Red, a Tamil short film shortlisted by MAMI (Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image)'s Select: Filmed on iPhone initiative, has become a talking point online as the director, Shalini Vijayakumar, is facing plagiarism accusations by Tamil writer Jeyarani. According to Jeyarani, the film is based on her short story Sevvarali Poocharam, which is part of her collection Sennilam.
On Instagram, Jeyarani, a journalist and writer for 25 years, wrote, 'I was shocked to find out that one of the short stories from this book (Sennilam)–Sevvarali Poocharam–has been used without my knowledge and permission without due recognition or royalties in the recently released film Seeing Red, directed by Shalini Vijayakumar."
She continued by saying, 'Not only has every inch of it been stolen… but it has also been distorted and appropriated through a Brahminical lens. I was struck by deep inner turmoil upon seeing it."
'Not only was my story about the cultural oppression suffered by women from marginalised communities under the guise of ritual stolen but it was distorted into the story of a Brahmin household, where the ghost is a grotesque madisar(a traditional saree)-clad Brahmin woman," she added.
Jeyarani also appealed to acclaimed director Vetrimaaran, who has been credited as the mentor of the film. 'Since director Vetrimaaran is credited as a mentor for the film, I raised the issue with him. He said he would read the story but even after a week, he claims he hasn't read it. It's possible he didn't know the story was stolen. But what truly surprises me is the complete lack of social awareness among those associated with the film—whether Brahmin women face such systemic cultural oppression, or whether the film is, in fact, appropriating the pain and suffering of marginalised women."
Jeyarani has demanded a public apology from Shalini, the director of the short film for the alleged story theft and causing emotional distress. She also demanded that the short film be removed from all platforms. The writer has claimed that she will seek necessary legal action if her demands are not met.
However, speaking to CNN-News18, Shalini Vijayakumar has denied the allegations against her. 'I wish to state clearly and respectfully that my film Seeing Red is an entirely original work. Any resemblance to other stories is purely coincidental. While I acknowledge that appropriation and story theft are real concerns in the creative industry, and I take them seriously, in this case, I stand by the integrity of my process and the authenticity of the story."
When asked to comment on Jeyarani wanting to seek legal remedy against her, Shalini said, 'Ms. Jeyarani is well within her rights to pursue legal action, and if and when that happens, I will respond through the appropriate legal channels. I continue to stand firmly by my position that Seeing Red is a wholly original work, not inspired by or plagiarised from any existing work of fiction."
Seeing Red is still streaming on YouTube.
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