Love Mocktail 3: A Stolen Script?Sandalwood’s Newest War: The Mystery Behind the Controversy

Was the Story of ‘Love Mocktail 3’ Stolen? Controversy Erupts Over Darling Krishna’s Latest Hit
The highly anticipated sequel Love Mocktail 3, directed by and starring Darling Krishna, hit theaters during the Ugadi festival to a warm reception across Karnataka. However, the celebration has been marred by serious allegations of story theft. Director Raghavendra Nayak (of Marigold fame) has stepped forward, claiming that the core plot of the film was lifted from a script he pitched to Krishna a year ago.
The Allegation: A Stolen Second Half?
According to Raghavendra Nayak, the dispute dates back to 2023. Nayak, who previously worked as an assistant director on several projects, says he pitched a story to Darling Krishna through producer Guru Deshpande.

Raghavendra Nayak’s claims include:

• The Pitch: After hearing the narration, Krishna allegedly declined the project, stating that the story was too similar to what he had planned for Love Mocktail 3.
• The “Theft”: Nayak alleges that Krishna took key elements from that narration, modified them, and integrated them into the second half of Love Mocktail 3.
• Witnesses: Nayak claims he has witnesses, including Guru Deshpande and several friends, who can vouch for the originality of his script. He also mentions he had discussed this same plot with veteran actor Ramesh Aravind and actor Sharan, the latter of whom had reportedly shown interest in the project.
• Legal Action: Nayak has approached the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to seek justice and explore legal avenues.

Darling Krishna’s Counter-Defense

Darling Krishna has categorically denied these allegations, dismissing them as an attempt to tarnish his reputation while the film is performing well at the box office.
Krishna’s rebuttal points:

• Timing: “If I wanted to steal someone’s story, I wouldn’t have waited three years to make this movie,” Krishna stated. He questioned why Nayak hadn’t produced the film in the year since the alleged pitch if the script was ready.
• Creative Coincidence: He argued that similar ideas can occur to different creators. He pointed out that the “dying spouse” trope used in the first Love Mocktail is a common cinematic theme, yet no one accused him of theft then.
• Lack of Registration: Krishna questioned why Nayak hadn’t registered the story if it was truly original.
• Defamation Suit: Angered by the social media posts regarding the issue, Krishna announced his intention to file a defamation lawsuit against those making the accusations. “The industry knows I have come up through hard work and my own original stories,” he added.
  Current Status & Online Updates
  The controversy has sparked a massive debate among Sandalwood fans online. While some netizens are calling for a thorough investigation by the Film Chamber, others are defending Krishna, citing his track record of character-driven, original storytelling.
  Currently, the KFCC is expected to mediate between the two parties. However, without a registered script from the complainant, legal experts suggest it may be difficult to prove “plagiarism” in a court of law, as thematic similarities often overlap in the romance genre.
  Would you like me to draft a formal summary of this dispute that you could send to a legal representative or the Film Chamber?