Filmmaker Shalini Vijaykumar reacts to plagiarism controversy: ‘Seeing Red’ is my original work-OxBig News Network

Shalini Vijaykumar.
| Photo Credit: Karishma Harinath

Days after writer and journalist Jeyarani made plagiarism accusations against Shalini Vijayakumar, the filmmaker has responded to the controversy. Shalini has said that her short film Seeing Red is an original work.

Seeing Red centres around three women who are haunted by a ghost visible only to them while their family remains unaware. Set in the 1980s, the film blends themes such as patriarchy and women empowerment. The 30-minute dark comedy drama was entirely shot on iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The film was selected for the MAMI’s Select: Filmed on iPhone initiative. On Friday (02, 2025), Jeyarani took to Instagram to claim that Seeing Red is based on her story, Sevvarali Poocharam, from her short-story collection Sennilam.

On Monday (05, 2025), in an interview with CNN-News 18, Shalini said, “I wish to state clearly and respectfully that my film Seeing Red is an original work. Any resemblance to other stories is purely coincidental. While I acknowledge that appropriation and story theft are real concerns in the creative industry, and I take them seriously, in this case, I stand by the integrity of my process and the authenticity of the story.”

Shalini added that she is ready to face any legal challenges, as and when they surface. “I will stand firm in my statement that Seeing Red is my original work. It’s not inspired by or plagiarised from any work of fiction.”

Jeyarani accused that Seeing Red has distorted her story and been appropriated through a Brahmanical lens. “Not only every inch of it has been stolen, down to the title (Sevvarali Poocharam – Red Oleander Flower string), the period and genre, but it has also distorted and appropriated through a Brahmanical lens. I was struck by a deep inner turmoil upon seeing it,” she wrote.

ALSO READ:Shalini Vijayakumar’s Seeing Red, brings power and patriarchy to the fore

Ace director Vetri Maaran is said to have mentored Shalini for the film, helping her refine her script and guiding her about the themes involved in the movie. Jeyarani said she has informed Vetri Maaran about the issue, and is awaiting his response .The writer-journalist also sought a public apology from Shalini, adding that she is set to take a legal action against the director.