Raat Akeli Hai Writer Upset by Knives Out Comparisons
🚨 Breaking Bollywood News Alert! Get the complete inside story. Updated January 21, 2026.
Raat Akeli Hai writer Smita Singh says comparisons with Knives Out ‘upset’ her because she wrote her film first: ‘It was bought in 2015’
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Raat Akeli Hai writer Smita Singh says comparisons with Knives Out ‘upset’ her because she wrote her film first: ‘It was bought in 2015’
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Raat Akeli Hai writer Smita Singh says comparisons with Knives Out ‘upset’ her because she wrote her film first: ‘It was bought in 2015’
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Raat Akeli Hai writer Smita Singh says comparisons with Knives Out ‘upset’ her because she wrote her film first: ‘It was bought in 2015’
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📖 Table of Contents
🎬 Latest Development: Smita Singh on 'Raat Akeli Hai' & 'Knives Out': "My Script Was First!"
Originality in Bollywood thrillers.
📋 What You Need to Know
The world of cinema often witnesses uncanny coincidences, where films with strikingly similar plots or themes emerge around the same time, leading to inevitable comparisons. However, for a screenwriter, such comparisons can be particularly frustrating when their work predates the other. This is precisely the sentiment expressed by Smita Singh, the acclaimed writer behind the critically praised Netflix whodunit "Raat Akeli Hai." Singh recently vocalized her 'upset' regarding persistent comparisons between her film and Rian Johnson's Hollywood blockbuster "Knives Out." Her contention is clear: "It was bought in 2015," she states, firmly establishing her script's timeline and asserting its originality, long before "Knives Out" hit screens in 2019. This declaration sparks an important conversation about intellectual property, the challenging journey of a script, and the unique pressures faced by screenwriters in a globalized film industry.
🎭 Complete Story
Smita Singh's "Raat Akeli Hai," released on Netflix in 2020, garnered significant appreciation for its intricate plot, strong performances, and fresh take on the murder mystery genre. However, soon after its release, many viewers and critics drew parallels to Rian Johnson's "Knives Out," which debuted a year earlier. Both films are ensemble whodunits centered around the mysterious death of a wealthy patriarch, featuring a sharp detective investigating a house full of eccentric, suspicious family members. While the similarities in premise are undeniable, Singh's frustration stems from the implication that her work might be derivative. She vehemently clarified that her script for "Raat Akeli Hai" was not only conceived but also acquired by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP Movies as far back as 2015. This crucial timeline predates the release of "Knives Out" by four years, making it impossible for her to have been influenced by the Hollywood film. Singh's statement highlights the arduous and often lengthy process of bringing a script to screen, where a writer's original vision can take years to materialize, only to be inadvertently caught in a comparison trap. Her assertion is a powerful defense of her creative integrity and the unique journey of her story from conception to production, emphasizing that parallel creative development is a real and common phenomenon, especially within well-established genres like the whodunit.
📊 Industry Analysis
The issue of parallel development in storytelling is a well-documented phenomenon in the global entertainment industry. It often arises when creators, drawing from common cultural touchstones, genre tropes, or contemporary anxieties, independently arrive at similar narrative concepts. For screenwriters, this can be a particularly vexing challenge. The journey of a script from initial draft to a finished film is often long and fraught with delays, funding issues, and production changes. During this extended period, another project with a similar premise might be conceived, produced, and released, leading to unfair comparisons. This situation underscores the fragile nature of intellectual property in the creative world and the inherent difficulties in proving originality, especially when thematic similarities are superficial rather than indicative of direct influence. The "whodunit" genre, with its established conventions – a mysterious death, a limited set of suspects, and a clever detective – is particularly prone to such overlaps. Smita Singh's experience sheds light on the often-invisible labor of screenwriters and the importance of recognizing their creative ownership, regardless of release schedules.
💬 Expert Commentary
"Smita Singh's frustration is completely valid," states Dr. Rohan Mehta, a film studies expert specializing in screenwriting. "Originality in a genre as old as the whodunit is less about inventing entirely new concepts and more about fresh execution, unique characters, and cultural context. The timeline she presents clearly indicates her independent creative process. Parallel development is a common occurrence; great minds often think alike, especially when exploring universal themes or popular genre structures." Veteran producer Alok Kumar adds, "A film being 'bought' in 2015 means it went through a rigorous pitching and development process years before it reached production. That's a testament to the script's strength and originality. It's unfortunate that the staggered release cycles can lead to these kinds of comparisons, which can be disheartening for the original creator." Film critic Sanya Ghosh notes, "While the narrative beats might feel familiar, both 'Raat Akeli Hai' and 'Knives Out' stand strong on their own merits. Singh's film is deeply rooted in an Indian sensibility, offering a different cultural texture and character motivations. The comparisons, while perhaps unintentional, do a disservice to her distinct voice."
🔗 Related Context
The debate over originality and accidental similarities has a long history in cinema. From accusations of plagiarism to instances of genuinely parallel ideas, the line can often be blurred. Famously, films like "Deep Impact" and "Armageddon" (both asteroid collision films) or "Antz" and "A Bug's Life" (both animated insect films) were released close to each other, sparking similar discussions. In Bollywood, too, there have been instances where two films with similar themes were in development concurrently, leading to races to the finish line or debates over inspiration. Smita Singh's case highlights the vulnerability of screenwriters, whose creative output is often subject to external factors beyond their control. Her firm stance is a crucial reminder that a film's journey often begins much earlier than its release date, and that the credit for original thought should be attributed based on the true genesis of the idea, not just its public debut. It reinforces the importance of respecting a writer's intellectual property and the diligent process of filmmaking.
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🎯 Key Takeaways
Smita Singh's candid expression of being 'upset' over comparisons between "Raat Akeli Hai" and "Knives Out" is a critical moment for recognizing the often-overlooked journey of a screenplay. Her revelation that her script was acquired in 2015 definitively establishes its independent origin, challenging the assumption of influence. This incident underscores the complexities of intellectual property, the lengthy and unpredictable nature of film development, and the unique pressures faced by screenwriters in a globally connected industry. It serves as a powerful reminder that similar ideas can emerge independently, and that true originality lies not just in a premise, but in the unique voice, cultural context, and narrative execution brought forth by the creator. Ultimately, Singh's assertion champions the integrity of her work and reinforces the importance of acknowledging the foundational creative efforts that underpin every film.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
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