Amitabh Bachchan miffed at possibility of losing copyright to his father Harivansh Rai's literary works

Amitabh Bachchan has time and again expressed his deep regard and affection towards his father and poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. He is often seen reciting lines from his father’s numerous poems in many public functions and TV shows. Now, it seems the Bollywood megastar is miffed at the possibility of losing the exclusive rights to his father’s literary works after 60 years of his demise. [caption id=“attachment_4395737” align=“alignnone” width=“826”]  Amitabh Bachchan (left) with his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Facebook[/caption] The Copyrights Act, 1957 proclaims:

“In the case of a literary, dramatic or musical work or an engraving, in which copyright subsists at the date of the death of the author or, in the case of any such work of joint authorship, at or immediately before the date of the death of the author who dies last, but which, or any adaptation of which, has not been published before that date, copyright shall subsist until sixty years from the beginning of the calendar year next following the year in which the work is first published or, where an adaptation of the work is published in any earlier year, from the beginning of the calendar year next following that year.”

Bachchan, in a very sharp tone, penned his thoughts over the same on his blog. He called the guidelines of the act “rubbish” and in very strong language questioned the relevance of such terms. He said, “I believe it initiated in 1957 or so .. and am angered by its audacity ! So what gets left as natural heir by father Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan, after his passing passed 60 years, belongs no longer to his domain or possessive copyright as willed… but becomes for the entire universe to tread, scratch, mutilate, use in commercial consideration on their own creative discretion…??? Rubbish..! I oppose, disagree, lament, dispute, be in variance of, in vehement loud screams of voice.. ever” Continuing his displeasure, Bachchan firmly put in words that his father’s work shall and will remain his and not of the public, as the law states. “My inheritance be mine.. not another’s after the passing of its stipulated time in years .. 60 .. I am genetically my father’s son .. he be willed to me of all that be in asset of his .. his writings be his .. his heir be me .. his writings be mine .. MINE ! I shall not and will not allow its dilution to general public ..” Harivansh Rai Bachchan passed away on 18 January, 2003. Some of his most renowned works include Madhushala, Agnipath, Ruke Na Tu, Himmat Karne Walon Ki Haar Nahi Hoti to name a few.