Did Ramesh Sippi Really Receive a Visit from the Original Makers of ‘Ram Aur Shyam’?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ramesh Sippi's visit from producers reflects the collaborative spirit in the film industry.
- ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’ was inspired by the original Tamil film ‘Ram Aur Shyam’.
- Producers were keen to adapt Sippi's film for Tamil audiences.
- Ramesh's generosity in granting rights showcases a positive approach to creativity.
- The encounter emphasizes the significance of cross-industry relationships.
Mumbai, June 1 (NationPress) Director-actor Ramesh Sippi recounted a captivating story about the time he was visited by a group of producers from South India. A recently unearthed video, shared by Prasar Bharati, features him revealing the purpose of their visit. He explained that his production had previously adapted a Tamil film into Hindi without formal consent for the rights, driven by his admiration for the original.
The film in question is ‘Ram Aur Shyam’, which he creatively reinterpreted as ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’. To his surprise, the producers were not there to discuss ‘Ram Aur Shyam’ but instead sought the rights for their Tamil version of ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’.
“We were a bit anxious thinking, ‘Could it be a copyright issue?’ My father was present, and we welcomed them with chai and coffee, asking, ‘What can we do for you?’ They stated, ‘You have produced the film ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’. Could you grant us the rights to create a Tamil version? Also, we would like Hema Malini to reprise her role.’”
“I was astonished. Then they inquired, ‘Mr. Sippy, what would be the cost?’ I replied, ‘Please take it and make it. There’s no charge; I was inspired by your film to create ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’. You’re more than welcome to proceed!’ We provided them with the necessary letter to move forward with the film,” he concluded.