Controversies continue to haunt the Kerala State Film Awards. Scriptwriter Najeem Koya has alleged that the story of ‘Kattum Mazhayum’ was his. Harikumar had earlier won the award for the best story.
Najeem said that he had first narrated the story of the film to Harikumar in 2013. Since he was busy with other projects, he couldn’t oblige to Harikumar’s request to write the script as soon as possible.
When Najeem found out that Harikumar had hired Santosh Echikkanam to write a script, he immediately contacted Santosh. He told The Times of India, “I immediately contacted Echikkanam and he told me that he was writing the same story, and that Harikumar had told him that it was his own story. I called up Harikumar and his answer was ‘You didn’t take it forward that day’.”
Najeem contacted the Film Employees’ Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) authorities, who in turn contacted both parties for their versions. It is reported that Harikumar had initially refused to answer their calls.
“Only when Echikkanam clarified that the script he was writing was the same as my story, and the FEFKA authorities asked Echikkanam to stall the writing until a decision was taken, did Harikumar respond to FEFKA’s summons,” Najeem added.
FEFKA official Sibi Malayil told TOI, “The truth is with Najeem Koya. We had found that the story is Najeem’s and made Harikumar sign a document with an apology giving the credits to Najeem.” He also added that Najeem was encouraged by FEFKA to file a case, and that the said documents will be submitted when required.
According to Deccan Chronicle, Harikumar said, “The story is 101% mine and I wrote the script for months. Why did Najeem remain quiet all this while and wait till the film got an award? The film was shown at two different festivals and why did he not react then? I have worked with several newcomers and have given them credit so why not Najeem if the story was his?” Harikumar ended by saying, “I have told Najeem to approach the court.”
