Kunal Kohli took an age to give a name his film with Yash Raj Films and when he finally stepped out with a title, controversy followed. After much speculation, Kohli who has previously directed successful films like Hum Tum and Fanaa named his ambitious project as Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic. But the filmmaker wasn’t aware, that Saahil Chadha, an actor turned producer - director, had already registered a similar name with IMPPA (Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association) as Thodi Life Thoda Magic.

Chadha confirmed, that he had the name of his film registered two-and-half years back. “I registered the name Thodi Life Thoda Magic sometime around 2005-06 back when I was planning the film. I started shooting for the film in early 2006 and we finished in December last year. Just when I was getting ready to release the film, someone from the media informed me about Kunal Kohli’s film title Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic which sounds the same as my film’s title,” said Chadha.

In an attempt to sort things out, Chadha approached the IMPPA and filed a written request to resolve the matter. “I submitted a letter to IMPPA with a request to Yash Raj Films for changing the name of their film,” revealed Chadha. Anil Nagrath, Secretary of IMPPA confirmed the claim that Chadha had indeed approached them with his request and they found his claim valid. The title of his film Thodi Life Thoda Magic was registered with IMPPA some years back and YRF’s claim to the title Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is in direct violation of Chadha’s rights as a producer and filmmaker.”

Nagrath said IMPPA has lent complete support to Chadha’s claims and in course of this action, they had written to the Film and TV Producers’ Guild asking them to look into the matter.

Supran Sen, Secretary General of the Guild was of the opinion that the two titles under the scanner were not similar. Sen explained, “The title of Kunal Kohli’s film is Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic and Saahil Chadha’s film is titled Thodi Life Thoda Magic. The two titles have two different words, Life and Pyaar, which makes them different. Although they sound similar, on technical grounds they qualify as two different titles and the Guild has granted YRF permission to release the film with the same title.” Though YRF’s spokesperson confirmed the Guild’s approval on the title they refused to comment on the entire situation. In an interview with Screen, Kohli too confirmed the Guild’s approval by saying, “The matter has been sorted out with the Producers’ Guild and they have allotted us the title.”

Kohli and Chadha’s films have little resemblance. Kohli’s film revolves around Saif Ali Khan who plays a rich man, four orphan kids and Rani Mukerji, who plays the role of an angel. On the other hand Saahil Chadha’s film is about a man who believes in living life by spreading magic to others’ life. Jackie Shroff plays the protagonist and the cast also includes the likes of Saahil Chadha, Arbaaz Khan and Anita Raaj.

Chadha who claims to be a devout Yash Raj fan, said “I have nothing against YRF or Kunal. I have grown up admiring Yashji’s films and I don’t mean to offend him or Kunal in anyway. I have been trying to get in touch with either of them, but I have not had any response. It is my polite but firm request to YRF that they change the title of their film.”

According to Chadha his film is ready for release and he plans to release it in June, which is around the same time Kohli’s film releases. Although he’s hoping YRF and Kohli would pay heed to his requests, Chadha said, “If the films are released with similar names I’ll be praying the audiences will not get confused and give both films a warm response.”

Interestingly, the registration fee for a film’s title in IMPPA is Rs 250 for a year. Two multi-crore films are at loggerheads and it seems either could fall in trouble and cost their makers hefty losses for something that usually comes at a paltry fee!