Atlee, the director of the blockbuster film Jawan, has finally opened up about the allegations of plagiarism and inspiration from his previous works and Hollywood films. In an interview with Film Companion, Atlee said that he does not mind the references as long as these are good references.
Atlee’s Jawan, which stars Shah Rukh Khan in a dual role as father and son doppelgängers who team up to rectify corruption in society, has been accused of having similarities with Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises (2012) and Atlee’s own Tamil film Mersal (2017). Some of the scenes and characters in Jawan have been compared to those in The Dark Knight Rises, such as the hijacking of a plane, the villain’s mask, the underground prison, and the climax. Similarly, some of the themes and dialogues in Jawan have been compared to those in Mersal, such as the social message on farmers’ issues, the medical crimes, and the triple role of the protagonist.
Atlee responds to allegations
Atlee responded to these allegations by saying that he is aware of the references and influences that he has used in his films, but he has also added his own touch and vision to them. He said that he is a fan of Nolan and his films, and that he has paid homage to him in some scenes. He also said that he has not repeated himself or Mersal in Jawan, but rather he has explored a different genre and perspective. He said that he has tried to make a universal film that can appeal to both Hindi and Tamil audiences, and that he has not compromised on his style or sensibilities.
“I know people will say that, but I am not taking it from there. I have done Mersal, I have a wrestling scene in it, which is there in Jawan as well. I know that and it’s ok, both are my films. But when it comes to other films, for example, Bane from Batman. I want to cover the face of an actor in a film, which I want to reveal in the next part, so what mask can I go for? I have one half skull mask, one full bandaged mask, the entire film is about masks only, so I went with the mask that was designed by my production designer. That’s all. It was nice. If they call it Bane, that’s fine, that is a good reference,” he said.
He added, “In the process of creating things, of course you will create something closer to something. If the intention is the same, if I am doing the same thing, then it is wrong. If it echoes, that’s ok. If it is a good reference, I am ok. I know I have been criticised for this for a very long time. I have been to court, I have won the cases, by honesty and merit. I go by basics, I don’t have an intellectual brain. I am not a brainy writer or a great director. I am very simple, I know my craft this much, fortunately it is being translated well, I am happy.”
“If Aryan Khan would have directed Shah Rukh Khan”, Jawan Director Atlee Shares An Interesting Anecdote
In a recent interview with Film Companion, Atlee revealed that he was in awe of SRK’s professionalism, dedication and humility. He said that SRK treated him like a friend and gave him complete creative freedom to execute his vision. He also praised SRK’s versatility and ability to transform into different characters with ease.
Atlee also shared an interesting anecdote about how he felt like he was in the same zone that Aryan Khan, SRK’s son and aspiring filmmaker, would be if he directed his father. He said that the process was enjoyable and he was very comfortable directing the actor. Atlee said: “If Aryan would have directed Shah Rukh sir..how comfortable he would have been, I have been in that zone. I was very very comfortable.”
He said that he was nervous and excited at the same time to direct SRK, who is his idol and inspiration. He said that he wanted to make SRK proud and impress him with his work. He said that he was constantly seeking SRK’s feedback and approval, and that SRK was very supportive and encouraging of him.
Atlee said that he had a lot of fun working with SRK and that they bonded over their love for cinema, cricket and family. He said that he learned a lot from SRK’s experience and wisdom, and that he hopes to collaborate with him again in the future.
About Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Jawan’
Jawan is Atlee’s first Hindi film, after delivering blockbuster hits in Tamil cinema such as Theri, Mersal and Bigil. The film is produced by Gauri Khan and Gaurav Verma under Red Chillies Entertainment. The film’s soundtrack and background score are composed by Anirudh Ravichander, with cinematography by G. K. Vishnu and editing by Ruben. The film was released on 7 September 2023 in standard, IMAX, 4DX and other premium formats, coinciding with Janmashtami.
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