Has Bollywood director Ram Gopal Varma decided to release the remake of yesteryear’s blockbuster “Sholay” by changing the much publicised title “Ram Gopal Varma Ki Sholay”?

A high drama was witnessed on the issue yesterday in the Delhi High Court as Sascha Sippy, who claims to be the owner of the film “Sholay” cited a news report that Varma has decided to release the movie on July 13 by not only changing the title but also changing the names of popular characters like “Gabbar Singh” and “Basanti”.

The title has been changed from ‘Ram Gopal Varma Ki Sholay’ to ‘Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag’ and the popular characters ‘Gabbar Singh’ and ‘Basanti’ has been renamed as ‘Babban Singh’ and Ghungroo’, Sippy’s counsel Pravin Anand contended, referring to a report on a website.

He said Varma’s interview in this regard was aired on Monday on a national channel.

Justice Gita Mittal before whom a petition of infringement of trade mark and copyright on “Sholay” was pending against Varma, said if the change of title and name of character was acceptable to Sippy it would end the issue of release of the film in question.

However, senior advocate Rajiv Nayar and Amit Naik, counsel for Varma, expressed ignorance of the interview and said they did not have any idea of any such interview on any channel.

In view of the conflicting statements by the contesting parties, the court directed them to take instructions from their clients and inform it about the facts.