Madhubala’s biography writer Sushila Kumari sues the actress’ sister for Rs 1 crore – details inside

The legendary actress Madhubala was amongst the most-popular actresses of her generation. She has worked in more than 60 films in her career spanning over 20 years and is popular for her roles in movies like Mughal-e-Azam, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Howrah Bridge and many others. Well, even after her death, the evergreen beauty often makes it to the headlines.

Recently, a report of her sister Madhur Bhushan being unhappy and ‘disturbed’ about filmmaker and Padmini Kolhapure's hubby Tutu Sharma's plans of making a biopic of Madhubala based on Sushila Kumari’s book Madhubala: Dard Ka Safar has been making rounds in the media.

Now, according to the latest update, the writer of Madhubala’s biopic Sushila Kumari has sued Madhubala’s sister for Rs 1 crore. Reportedly, Sushila is “very annoyed” with Madhubala’s sister for running down her book.

According to a report of ETimes, advocate Lavin Hirani, who is representing Kumari in this war said, "While it’s too early to comment on the outcome of the dispute, the claims being made my clients is that the book and the subsequent film being produced are based on facts and information that are in the public domain since as early as the 1960s which remain unchallenged till date. Even otherwise no one can claim exclusivity let alone ownership to develop/produce any books, scripts, films based on such widely known facts and information in relation to the deceased personality. This is not just limited to India. Had that been so, we wouldn't have seen the release of numerous books/films including biopics based on several famous sports heroes, artists and politicians across the world.”

The report further added that Madhur Bhushan is trying to put together a film based on Madhubala’s life with a group of producers.

Meanwhile, earlier Tutu Sharma had told the publication, “The biopic film being announced by me is based on the biography book titled 'Madhubala: Dard ka Safar' written/ authored by Ms Sushila Kumari which has been in the public domain for multiple years. Madhubala ji is a well-known public figure and it’s important that her story is made on celluloid for the public to see. I believe that it's a well settled law that nobody can claim copyright on a public figure’s life, not even their own kin. If that was the case we wouldn’t have seen so many biopics made on prominent figures through the history of our nation.” Tutu Sharma still holds the same viewpoint, according to the publication.

Madhubala breathed her last on February 23, 1969.