Producers of Ajay Devgn’s ‘Maidaan’ deny allegations of unpaid royalties, Clarify legal compliance with Syed Abdul Raheem’s family- Exclusive | Hindi Movie News

Recently, there have been several media reports alleging that the police have been directed to look into a claim purportedly from the family members of the late Mr. Syed Abdul Raheem, stating that the producers of ‘Maidaan‘ owe them certain monies for Mr. Raheem’s depiction in the film. However, the makers of the film have clarified that they have not received any notice from the police or the state.
Ameet Naik, who represents Boney Kapoor, said it is important to present the facts and told us, “The legal heirs of the late Mr.S.A. Raheem, who was a football coach of the Indian football team during 1952-1962, filed Original Suit No. 1271 of 2019 along with Interim Application No. 602 of 2019 before the Hon’ble Civil Judge, Hyderabad in June 2019, seeking a judgment and decree for a perpetual injunction on the release, exploitation, and production of the film ‘Maidaan’.”
He further added, ‘It was alleged that no permission had been taken from them for the making of the film ‘Maidaan’. Bayview Projects LLP opposed the grant of the injunction, inter alia, on the grounds that the information about the late Mr. Raheem, as the coach of the Indian football team, is available in the public domain, and no permission was required under the law to make a film on the late Mr. Raheem/Indian football. It was further argued that it is well-settled law that the personality rights enjoyed by a person during their lifetime come to an end after their death. The Hon’ble Court, after hearing the parties in detail, by its order dated 30th September 2019, refused to grant any injunction/restraining relief on the production, release, and/or exploitation of the film ‘Maidaan’, and the concerned Interim Application filed by the legal heirs was dismissed.’

However, Ameet mentioned that they resolved the matter in good faith and amicably with the heirs: “Though the producers were not obliged under law to obtain any permission or consent from the heirs of Mr. Raheem, in good faith, they resolved the matter amicably with the heirs on terms and conditions recorded in the consent terms dated 29th January 2020, filed in the Hon’ble City Civil Court, Hyderabad. Bayview Projects LLP is in due compliance with the consent terms, and, in fact, all the legal heirs have confirmed Bayview’s compliance with the consent terms and have rendered full support and appreciation towards the film. Additionally, the producers also obtained life rights from Sqn. Ldr. Syed Shahid Hakim (now deceased) and paid consideration for the same during his lifetime, as per Mr. Hakim’s instructions to his wife Sadia Syeda and to his family members, namely Mohammed Abdul Samad and Mohammed Shariq Daniyal Akhtar. In this background, it is shocking to read reports regarding the non-payment of royalties to the heirs of the late Mr. Hakim, especially when there’s no obligation to pay the same; this allegation is completely false.”
Naik emphasized that they have not received any legal notice or claim from the police or state authorities related to this matter. “There are no outstanding dues to any of the legal heirs of the late Mr. Raheem/Mr. Hakim, and no notice has been received by the police/state authority. If any claim or notice is received, the production house shall take all steps to deal with the same in accordance with the law to protect and safeguard its rights and reputation,” he concluded.

Previous reports stated that the Telangana government is taking action against actor Ajay Devgn and the makers of ‘Maidaan’ for allegedly failing to pay a promised royalty to the family of former Indian football coach Syed Abdul Rahim, on whose life the film is based. Devgn portrayed Rahim, a coach who led India to the semi-finals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, a historic achievement as the first Asian team to do so. Rahim’s family claims that the filmmakers promised them a royalty for providing personal and professional insights about Rahim but did not follow through after the film’s release. The Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy, has ordered an inquiry, expressing anger over the filmmakers’ alleged insensitivity. Additionally, the film faced prior legal issues over plagiarism allegations by a Karnataka-based writer. ‘Maidaan’ was eventually released worldwide on April 11, after the Karnataka High Court lifted a stay imposed by a lower court.