Pooja Bhatt claims owning the title Holiday, falls out with Vipul Shah

A fresh conflict over a film title has started in the Hindi film industry over Akshay Kumar-Sonakshi Sinha starrer Holiday. Actress-turned-producer Pooja Bhatt has claimed that the title Holiday already belongs to her which has been allegedly used and registered by director Vipul Shah for his upcoming film with a tagline, A Soldier is Never Off Duty.

Back in 2006, Bhatt claims to have produced a film with the same title featuring Dino Morea and Onjolee Nair. The film didn’t emerge as a box-office success but Bhatt decided to own the title for future. Adhering by the rulebook, a title can be owned by a producer for ten years. But to Bhatt’s major disappointment, the title has been used by Shah for his upcoming film without her consent. According to the producer, "Last year, Vipul sent me a mail and I clearly told him not to use my title. He then approached the Guild, which did not grant him the permission to use the title — with or without a tagline. If he has used the title despite that, the guild will take action."

"I wrote to Vipul on Tuesday when I came to know that he is using my title, but he is yet to respond. He has obviously got the title through dubious means. In all probability, he went to IMPPA (Indian Motion Pictures' Producers Association) and got it approved,” she added. However, this is not the first time Pooja is facing this kind of issue as the same thing happened with the 2011-film Thank You. Bhatt claimed this title was also “stolen" from her. Pooja said, "I fought a lone battle then and could do nothing about it.” She said further, "It seems Mr Akshay Kumar likes all my titles; it is very flattering." Bhatt also posted on her Twitter page regarding the same, "First 'Thank You' and then 'Holiday'! Akshay Kumar's producers have an affinity for the titles of my films. Gentle Reminder - 'Karma can be a bitch'.” Responding to Pooja’s claims, Vipul had to say, 'My title doesn't have a tag line, it is the main title Holiday — A Soldier Is Never Off Duty. I had requested Pooja for Holiday but since she didn't allow I designed it differently. I have got an official letter from IMPAA approving it."