Movies

Netflix is SUED over Squid Game for allegedly stealing plot from 2009 Indian film

BBG News

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, both as a passionate viewer and a dedicated filmmaker myself, I find myself deeply intrigued by this ongoing legal battle between Sohum Shah and Netflix over the similarities between his 2009 film, Luck, and the global phenomenon that is Squid Game.

Actor and producer Sohum Shah has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, alleging that they copied the plot of his 2009 movie, “Luck,” for the popular show “Squid Game.

2021 saw the debut of a captivating South Korean dystopian series, which quickly rose to become Netflix’s most popular program. Fans are eagerly awaiting its return, as a second season is scheduled to air on December 26 this year.

In a lawsuit filed by TMZ on Friday, Shah asserted that the plot basis for the streaming platform’s offering was derived from his own Hindi-language action thriller, as he is both the writer and director of it.

In a nutshell, ‘Luck’ revolves around the idea that a ruthless underworld leader gathers individuals worldwide who possess extraordinary luck for a sequence of tests aimed at measuring their fortune-telling abilities. Meanwhile, gamblers worldwide place wagers on these participants.

In a fashion reminiscent of Squid Game, contestants who find themselves in dire straits choose to participate in a deadly competition. However, failing to meet the challenge’s requirements leads to a fatal outcome. On the flip side, survivors stand to gain significantly more money as the stakes escalate throughout the game.

Rich ‘gamblers’ watch the contestants compete in grueling games – also like the Netflix show. 

In a court case, it was asserted by Shah that he penned the screenplay for Luck back in 2006, and subsequently, the film hit theaters across nations like India, the USA, UK, and UAE in 2009.

As a seasoned lifestyle aficionado, I’d like to share an interesting tidbit: The creative genius behind Squid Game, Hwang Dong-hyuk, revealed that he actually penned the series all the way back in 2009 – coincidentally, the very same year Luck premiered.

Along with Netflix, Shah is also suing Dong-hyuk. 

In the court case, the producer claimed that the streaming platform could have initially accessed the show ‘Luck’ because of their substantial promotional and publicity efforts.

After the worldwide phenomenon of Squid Game, Netflix saw an impressive surge in its market value, approximately $900 million.

According to TMZ, it appears that Shah is seeking a share of the worth and simultaneously working to ensure the streaming platform does not violate his copyright for the movie “Luck.

In September 2021, the Squid Game was released on Netflix, quickly gaining recognition as their most popular series. During its initial month, it attracted an impressive 1.65 billion viewing hours within only four weeks.

In this scenario, financially struggling individuals receive an unusual summons to participate in kid-themed competitions. Within, a tantalizing reward of enormous value and grave consequences lies hidden: a life-or-death contest offering a staggering 45.6 billion won as its grand prize. (According to IMDb)

The show, too, garnered a great deal of acclaim following favorable reviews from both critics and enthusiasts, earning it multiple awards along the way.

The Netflix series, Squid Game, garnered three Golden Globe nominations, with O Yeong-su being honored as the winner for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series.

The performance on the show earned it four nominations from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), winning three awards: Best Actor in a Dramatic Series for a male actor, Best Actress in a Dramatic Series for a female actor, and the award for Exceptional Stuntwork in a Television Production.

In addition to the Squid Game winning these accolades, it also received two Emmy Awards, two Critics’ Choice Television Awards, and one People’s Choice Award.

The series will continue for another two seasons, and the second season is set to premiere on December 26th of this year.

The third and last season doesn’t yet have a specific launch date, though it’s expected to debut around 2025.

Earlier this year, during the filming of Squid Game’s second season in South Korea, Netflix’s joint CEO, Ted Sarandos, stopped by the production set.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to immerse myself in the heart of South Korea while they were filming one of Netflix’s most eagerly awaited series of 2024 – the highly anticipated second season of ‘Squid Game’.

He added, “Although I can’t reveal any secrets, let me tell you that the upcoming games are truly awe-inspiring, and the grandeur of the sets left me amazed.

Director Hwang’s vision serves as an inspiring demonstration that Korean, and other non-English productions, can maintain local authenticity and yet captivate global viewers on Netflix.

I had the privilege of meeting President Yoon alongside the renowned Squid Game actor, Lee Jung-jae. This encounter allowed us to reinforce our dedication to the entertainment industry and support the budding talents of the future in Korea.

We’re heavily committing resources to Korea, and we think collaborating with top-tier local business associates is just the starting point…

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2024-09-14 04:19

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