Approval of Salim-Javed must for `Zanjeer` remake, says Arbaaz Khan

Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar have been fighting for the intellectual rights of the new version.

Mumbai: Actor Arbaaz Khan, whose father Salim co-scripted the film, feels that it`s important to take the consent of all the people who were part of the original while remaking a movie.

The remake of the Amitabh Bachchan starrer has been in news regarding copyright and royalty issues. Both - Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar - who scripted the original, have been fighting for the intellectual rights of the new version. "It`s important to take consent while making a remake and more so if the person has the rights of the film. There are times when writers either relinquish or give out their rights. In this (`Zanjeer`) case the remake rights were with dad and Javed saheb... So if this film had to be made so at least their approval should have been taken," Arbaaz said. "They should have been taken into consideration and then the film should have been made," he said. With Apoorva Lakhia-directed remake underway, the veteran writers moved the Bombay High Court earlier this month, seeking a stay order on the release of the film. "I will not like to comment much on that as its technical, my father knows it more and I feel it`s not right for me to say something. I think the matter is sub-judice so for me to comment on it is not fair," Arbaaz said. Earlier, the writers had complained to the Film Writers Association demanding Rs six crore from the makers, arguing that the remake cannot be released without the original scriptwriters` consent. Telugu actor Ram Charan, son of Chiranjeevi, will step into Big B`s shoes, while Priyanka Chopra will reprise the role of Jaya Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt will play the iconic role of Sher Khan, originally played by noted actor Pran. The remake version is produced by Amit Mehra, son of Prakash Mehra, the producer and director of the original. The film is likely to release in June this year. PTI