The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has been contemplating to press defamation charges against Indian composer Ismail Darbar for alleging that fellow composer A.R. Rahman had “bought” his Oscar award.
According to sources, the AMPAS was contemplating to sue Darbar for $50 million.
Darbar had last month started the controversy accusing the internationally acclaimed film composer of unofficially buying the Oscar awards as he did not deserve it. According to Darbar, Rahman bagged two Oscars in 2008 — “Best Original Score” and “Best Original Song” — for his music in Slumdog Millionaire by bribing the AMPAS officials.
Though Rahman had denied the charge, he had ruled out any legal action against Darbar for his defamatory allegation.
Meanwhile, despite the AMPAS’s strong reaction over his allegation, Darbar appeared unfazed. In an interview to a leading daily, he said: “I am not aware of any such legal notice from the Academy. I will react if and when I receive it.”