If Aruna's predicament presents the perfect ingredients for a dramatic rendition, the desire to capitalise on a `sensational' story is betrayed by the haste with which both producers have gone about advertising their respective plays. Neither has the requisite copyright permission from the publisher who has secured the Marathi translation rights of the original book - nor has either play been fully scripted!

Yet loud advertisements have been released in Marathi newspapers tom-tomming both plays, Arunachi Gosht under the banner of Macchindra Kambli's famed Bhadrakali Productions and Mee Kumari Aruna Shanbag under the banner of Mauli Productions of Uday Dhurat.The latter, incidentally, is the producer of the recently suspended controversial play Mee Nathuram Godse Boltoy.

Aruna's Story was originally penned in English by journalist Pinki Virani, whose book hit the stands two months ago. The book, which recounts the story of the KEM nurse who was assaulted and raped on the premises by a wardboy, is based on exclusive interviews with the hospital's nursing staff and Aruna's relatives. Today Aruna, incapacitated for life, lives in a room at the hospital and is cared for by fellow-nurses.

The Marathi translation rights of the English book were recently bought by editor-publisher Nikhil Wagle of Akshar Prakashan. However, neither Wagle nor Virani have been approached by the producers. ``Neither I nor the Penguin publishers were in the know of these plays. The KEM Hospital nurses called me up to ask if I had given permission for a play. I said I had not. They were, of course, very upset,'' Virani toldExpress Newsline.Wagle is equally disturbed and is evencontemplating legal action against the producers if the latter do not withdraw their ventures. ``It is a very old and bad habit of Marathi producers to announce forthcoming ventures on hot-n-topical issues without undergoing the necessary formalities. In this case, they have gone one step ahead by proclaiming the venture before the script is ready,'' Wagle toldExpress Newsline.

He says the producers cannot proceed without seeking his permission as he has has the exclusive Marathi copyright over Virani's book. ``They may claim to have done indigenous research on Aruna Shanbag's story. But it is not difficult to prove in court that Virani's book is the original source material that inspired them. The timing of their ads itself proves that they were drawn to the subject after the English book hit the stands,'' Wagle says. Moreover, he adds, the producers should have shown more sensitivity towards a delicate issue like rape.

The KEM nurses echo the sentiment. Says Matron Vaishali Gawde, ``As guardiansof a helpless woman, she is very dear to our hearts. We feel that Aruna's story is not to be publicly paraded. One of the play titles makes a direct mention of her name. It is not proper to disclose her identity, especially when she cannot even utter a word in her defence.''

Kambli and Dhurat, of course, claim they harbour nothing but noble intentions. Kambli says Arunachi Gosht is based on a skit performed at a drama competition organised by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation two years ago. ``I liked the skit and therefore I asked the playwright Datta Desai to expand it into a full-length play. We have not stolen any material from the English book. In any case, I do not wish to kick up a row. I will soon make things clear before the holders of the copyright,'' he says.

Dhurat also says he is ready for a dialogue over the copyright. ``The play does not demean Aruna Shanbag. On the contrary, we are trying to throw light on her trauma. Our bonafides are clear. And with regard to copyright formalities, Ishall soon meet Wagle and Virani. I don't want any further controversies."