Ex-Kerala DGP R Sreelekha Alleges Story Theft by Malayalam Films ‘Dhridam’ and ‘Bhoothakaalam’; Filmmakers Push Back Against Plagiarism Claims
Former Kerala DGP R Sreelekha has accused the makers of Malayalam films Dhridam and Bhoothakaalam of using stories authored and narrated by her without permission. The allegations have sparked a fresh debate on plagiarism, intellectual property rights, and creative inspiration in cinema.
A fresh controversy has gripped the Malayalam film industry after former Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) and BJP leader R Sreelekha accused the makers of two well-known Malayalam films of allegedly borrowing stories authored and publicly narrated by her without permission, acknowledgment, or due credit.
The allegations, which surfaced through a social media post by the retired IPS officer, have triggered widespread discussion among filmmakers, writers, legal experts, and cinema enthusiasts. At the center of the debate are two Malayalam films – the recently released police drama Dhridam and the critically acclaimed psychological horror film Bhoothakaalam, which was released in 2022 and received significant appreciation from audiences and critics alike.
Sreelekha, who is widely recognized as Kerala’s first woman IPS officer, has claimed that both films contain storylines that closely resemble narratives she had either published in print or shared publicly through digital platforms years before the films were made.
While her allegations have sparked intense conversations about intellectual property rights and creative ownership, the director of Dhridam has strongly rejected the accusations, insisting that the film was independently developed and inspired by a separate real-life incident.
Veteran IPS Officer Raises Questions Over Story Ownership
The controversy began when R Sreelekha publicly shared her concerns after watching Dhridam, a film centered around policing and criminal investigation.
According to the former IPS officer, she decided to watch the movie because its subject matter closely aligned with her professional background and long career in law enforcement.
However, as the film progressed, she says she began noticing striking similarities between the movie’s central narrative and a story she had written several years ago.
Sreelekha alleged that the core structure of the film resembles a story titled Karinkudi Police Station, which she had authored and later published in a Malayalam magazine.
The retired officer stated that the same story was also narrated through her YouTube channel, making it publicly accessible long before the film was produced.
According to her, while filmmakers may have altered certain details, characters, or cinematic elements, the foundation of the story appeared remarkably similar to her original work.
She argued that the central idea and narrative progression seemed to have been adapted without her consent and without any acknowledgment of the original source.
Claims Extend Beyond One Film
What has made the controversy even more significant is that Sreelekha’s allegations are not limited to Dhridam alone.
The former IPS officer has also raised similar concerns regarding Bhoothakaalam, one of the most discussed Malayalam films of recent years.
The psychological horror drama, known for its atmospheric storytelling and intense performances, earned praise from critics following its release and gained a dedicated audience across India.
According to Sreelekha, the inspiration behind Bhoothakaalam may also have originated from a real-life incident she had previously narrated publicly.
She claimed that in 2021 she uploaded a video on her YouTube channel under the title Bhootha Bhavanam.
In that video, she recounted an unusual real-life experience that had left a lasting impression on her.
The retired police officer now alleges that the central concept and overall storyline of Bhoothakaalam closely resemble the narrative she shared in that video.
By drawing attention to similarities between both films and her earlier works, she suggested that there may be a broader pattern of stories narrated by her finding their way onto the big screen without attribution.
Shane Nigam Emerges as an Interesting Common Link
During her remarks, Sreelekha also pointed out an interesting coincidence that connects both films.
She noted that actor Shane Nigam played a leading role in Dhridam as well as Bhoothakaalam.
While she did not suggest that the actor had any role in the alleged similarities, she highlighted the connection while discussing the matter publicly.
Sreelekha reportedly described Shane Nigam as one of her favorite actors and mentioned that his presence in both films made the overlap even more striking from her perspective.
The observation quickly gained attention on social media, where users began discussing the broader controversy and comparing the stories cited by the former IPS officer with the films in question.
Director of Dhridam Rejects Allegations
The allegations did not go unanswered.
Martin Joseph, director of Dhridam, firmly denied any claim of plagiarism or unauthorized adaptation.
Responding to the controversy, Joseph stated that the film was inspired by a real incident that occurred in Kerala’s Wayanad district and was not based on any story written by Sreelekha.
According to him, the narrative evolved independently during the screenplay development process.
Joseph acknowledged that there could be certain similarities in background settings or thematic elements, but insisted that such overlaps are common when stories emerge from similar social and professional environments.
He maintained that there are no substantial similarities between the two works that would justify allegations of copying.
The filmmaker also revealed that he became aware of Sreelekha’s story only after the controversy erupted.
From his perspective, the film’s storyline was conceived and developed without any reference to her published writings or YouTube content.
His response has added another dimension to the debate, with supporters of both sides offering differing interpretations of the situation.
Industry Debate Rekindled
The controversy has once again brought attention to a recurring issue within the entertainment industry – where does inspiration end and plagiarism begin?
The question is not new.
Across film industries worldwide, disputes often emerge when writers, authors, journalists, or public figures believe that their stories have been adapted without proper acknowledgment.
In many cases, similarities arise because filmmakers draw inspiration from real-life incidents, public narratives, folklore, historical events, or widely known stories.
At the same time, creators argue that original ideas deserve recognition and protection, especially when those ideas have already been documented and published.
The allegations raised by Sreelekha have therefore reopened larger conversations about creative ownership, intellectual property rights, adaptation ethics, and the responsibilities of filmmakers when drawing inspiration from publicly available content.
Legal Questions May Follow
At present, the matter remains largely in the realm of public debate.
No major legal proceedings have been announced, and there has been no judicial determination regarding the allegations.
However, legal experts note that disputes involving story ownership can become complex, particularly when the alleged source material has been published or publicly shared before a film’s release.
In such situations, courts often examine factors such as substantial similarity, originality, independent creation, and evidence of access to the original work.
Whether Sreelekha decides to pursue legal remedies remains unclear.
For now, her comments have succeeded in drawing significant public attention to the issue.
Who Is R Sreelekha?
R Sreelekha occupies a unique place in Kerala’s administrative history.
She became the state’s first woman IPS officer after joining the Indian Police Service in the 1987 batch.
Over the course of a distinguished career spanning several decades, she held numerous important policing assignments and earned a reputation as one of Kerala’s most recognizable police officers.
Her journey eventually culminated in her retirement as Director General of Police.
After leaving the police service, she entered public life and became active in politics.
She is currently associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and serves as a councillor in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Apart from her administrative career, Sreelekha has remained active as a writer, public speaker, and digital content creator, often sharing stories and experiences drawn from her years in law enforcement.
A Controversy That May Continue
The debate surrounding Dhridam and Bhoothakaalam shows no signs of fading quickly.
On one side stands a retired IPS officer who believes that stories she authored and publicly narrated have found their way into mainstream cinema without recognition.
On the other are filmmakers who insist their works were independently created and inspired by separate real-life events.
Until more evidence emerges or legal proceedings begin, the controversy is likely to remain a subject of discussion across Kerala’s film circles and beyond.
For many observers, the episode serves as another reminder of the increasingly blurred lines between inspiration, adaptation, and originality in the modern entertainment landscape. As conversations around intellectual property continue to evolve, the dispute involving R Sreelekha and two prominent Malayalam films may become an important case study in the ongoing debate over creative ownership and artistic freedom.
