Let’s talk about the messy dance of credit in creative industries. Here we are again, watching another high-profile feud unfold in Bollywood, this time between Paresh Rawal and Amit Rai over the origins of 'OMG 2.' It’s a story that feels both familiar and infuriatingly human—a clash of egos, unspoken rules, and the ever-present shadow of who gets to be the ‘originator.’
Paresh Rawal claims he pitched the idea for 'OMG 2' years ago, only to be ignored when the film finally materialized. Amit Rai, meanwhile, insists the concept was his own, comparing the process of filmmaking to raising a child: 'I am the father, the teacher, the one who sent it to college.' It’s a metaphor that feels less poetic and more defensive. What makes this particularly fascinating is how it exposes the uncomfortable truth that creativity is rarely a solo act. Yet, in the glitzy world of cinema, solo acts are the only ones that get celebrated.
Here’s the thing: Paresh isn’t wrong to feel slighted. He describes approaching Amit after admiring his work on 'Road to Sangam,' offering ideas for a story about a boy’s viral scandal and a father’s role as a temple guide. That’s not just collaboration—it’s a partnership. But Amit’s response? A firm 'no' to acknowledging Paresh’s input. Why? Because in the hierarchy of Bollywood, directors are gods, and actors are... well, actors. They’re supposed to play the parts, not write the scripts. But what if the script was born from their shared imagination? Where does that leave the actor who brought the idea to the table?
This isn’t just about 'OMG 2.' It’s about the toxic culture of credit in creative fields. I’ve seen it in music, literature, even tech startups. The person who plants the seed gets no recognition, while the one who waters it and prunes it gets the applause. Paresh’s frustration isn’t just about a missed credit line—it’s about being erased from the narrative. And that’s the real tragedy here. When someone’s contribution is dismissed, it’s not just their ego that suffers; it’s the entire ecosystem of creativity that loses a potential collaborator.
Amit’s defensiveness is understandable, but it’s also a symptom of a deeper issue. He’s not wrong to want full creative control—directors do bear the weight of a film’s vision. But when that vision is built on someone else’s idea, it’s a disservice to the collaborative spirit that fuels art. Paresh’s insistence that the film shouldn’t have been a sequel to 'OMG' adds another layer. He wanted a standalone story, not a franchise. Yet, the final product became a sequel, and he’s left questioning whether his voice was even heard at all.
What this really suggests is that Bollywood’s power dynamics are still stuck in the past. Producers, directors, and actors operate in silos, with little room for the messy, beautiful chaos of shared creation. Paresh’s claim might be a mere footnote in the grand scheme of things, but it’s a reminder that even the most seasoned stars can feel invisible. And that’s a problem. Because when talent feels unseen, it stops sharing. And that’s a loss for everyone.
So here’s my take: Let’s stop treating creativity like a zero-sum game. Ideas are fluid, and credit should be as well. If Amit Rai didn’t want to acknowledge Paresh’s input, that’s his choice. But the industry needs to evolve beyond the 'I created it all' mindset. Otherwise, we’ll keep watching talented people walk away, feeling like their contributions were never worth the paper they’re written on.
