‘Kalank’ controversy: Film is alleged to be a copy of a book.

Karan Johar’s Kalank is the most awaited film of the year. Amidst its release, the film is in controversy.

The film is said to be an unofficial adaptation of the 1999 novel ‘What the Body Remembers’, written by Canadian-American novelist Shauna Singh Baldwin.

Both the film and the novel has striking plot similarities.

---

Also Read: Kalank Trailer: An Epic Love Story set in the backdrop of India’s Partition.

---

The premise released by Dharma Productions reads: Kalank, a period film, set in pre-independent India, is a story about an elite family and many of its hidden truths that begin to unfold as communal tensions rise and partition nears. Caught in this situation are Dev, Satya, Roop, and Zafar, who find themselves in this battlefield of love.

The synopsis of the book available online reads, "Out of the rich culture of India and the brutal drama of the 1947 Partition comes this lush and eloquent debut novel about two women married to the same man. But the relationship between the older and younger woman is far more complex. 

And, as India lurches toward independence, Sardarji struggles to find his place amidst the drastic changes." 

From the trailer of Kalank, we know that Sonakshi and Alia's characters are married to the same man, played by Aditya Roy Kapur.

---

Also Read: ‘Kalank’, is it a war between two families or an Epic love story? Predicting the story and characterization of ‘Kalank’

---

Apart from the film's plotline, certain similarities like the names of the characters can also be seen between the book and the film.

According to Karan Johar, the plot of the film was conceptualized by his father Late Yash Johar 15 years back and the book was released before.

The filmmaker states that it is Sanjay Leela Bhansali's vision of adding grandeur in his film inspired him to do a film like Kalank.

---

Also Read: Kalank teaser out: A Tale of Eternal love

---

Directed by Abhishek Varman, Kalank is written by Shibani Bathija and Varman. The ensemble cast includes Madhuri Dixit, Sonakshi Sinha, Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Aditya Roy Kapur and Sanjay Dutt in pivotal roles. Kalank is set to release on 17 April.

twitter