Jawan: Villain Mask Copied From Dark Knight Rises? Atlee REACTS, Says 'That’s Fine, That's a Good...'

Jawan featured a number of characters but there was one that brought back memories of Bane from The Dark Knight Rises. Those who have watched the Atlee-Shah Rukh Khan film would recall that an unidentified villain was introduced in the second half of the movie. The villain was seen wearing a mask similar to the one we’ve seen in the Christopher Nolan film. This led to fans believing director Atlee borrowed the idea from the film. However, in a new interview, Atlee clarified that he hasn’t borrowed it from the Hollywood film but is okay with the parallels being drawn.

Speaking with Film Companion, Atlee said, “I want to cover the face of an actor in a film, which I want to reveal in the next part, so what mask can I go for? I have one half skull mask, one full bandaged mask, the entire film is about masks only, so I went with the mask that was designed by my production designer. That’s all. It was nice. If they call it Bane, that’s fine, that is a good reference.”

Atlee also addressed the claims that he replicated the fight scene, featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, from his own film Mersal. “I know people will say that, but I am not taking from there. I have done Mersal, I have a wrestling scene in it, which is there in Jawan as well. I know that and it’s ok, both are my films,” he added.

The filmmaker said that creative work tends to share similarities with things seen in the past. But it is the intentions that matter. “If the intention is the same, if I am doing the same thing, then it is wrong. If it echoes, that’s ok. If it is a good reference, I am ok. I know I have been criticised for this for a very long time. I have been to court, I have won the cases, by honesty and merit,” he said.

Jawan has been doing impressive business at the box office. According to trade expert Manobala V, the film has collected a worldwide collection of Rs 954.10 crore as of Sunday. The film has already surpassed the Rs 500 crore club in India. Atlee has also teased that there is a likelihood that he will return with a part 2 of Jawan.