Bollywood Filmmakers: Nothing New Under the Sun

The Times of India reports that the brothers Mukesh and Mahesh Bhatt are taking offense at the suggestion their films lifted too much content from Hollywood. Their upcoming "Qayamat" is "inspired" by Michael Bay's "The Rock," and other films produced by the Bhatt's company Vishesh include plots lifted from "What Lies Beneath," "The Silence of the Lambs," and Kevin Costner's "Dragonfly" (photo: "Saaya.")

But Mahesh Bhatt defends his flicks: "Let me tell you there's nothing like original art. I've had discussions on original art with the greatest thinkers of the world including the Dalai Lama. They all agree only god is original."

When we take a look at the warmed-over vintage TV shows ("Charlies Angels 2"), decades-old franchises ("Terminator 3"), and blatant cash-ins ("Legally Blonde 2") crowding the multiplexes this summer, we have to concede that Bhatt may have a point. More about Bollywood.