।। Sheikh Iraj ।।
The name Sheba Prokashoni and Qazi Anwar Hussain needs no introduction to Bengali mystery fiction lovers. In 1966 Qazi introduced our readers with the first Bengali spy thriller which was named `Dhangsho-Pahar’ (The Destroyed Hill). The central character of the book ‘Masud Rana’ immediately created an unparalleled craze. Almost after 54 years, Masud Rana is still one of the iconic characters in the world of Bengali spy thrillers. Reality Tv Shows have been made based on this character, also talks of a movie are on the table. Nevertheless, in the latest turn of events, the Copyright Board of Bangladesh declared the authorship of 260 books of Masud Rana series (out of 460) and 50 books of Kuasha (out of around 76) to Sheikh Abdul Hakim. This verdict has created quite a buzz among the avid fans of both the spy thriller series. Many people, especially book lovers and people who are associated with the publication business are eagerly waiting to see what happens next. The Independent spoke with both Qazi Anwar Hussain and Sheikh Abdul Hakim to understand the matter better and from a bird’s-eye view. From their perspective, they talked about their first encounter with each other, how they became colleagues, friends and what caused the dispute among the two that made them go their separate ways.
Qazi Anwar Hussain
“First of all, I feel I have not received fair treatment in terms of the Copyright Office of Bangladesh’s recent verdict on this issue. We will take our next step according to the law. As per law, I have to appeal to the Copyright Board. If it does not work out, then the only option I have left is to file a petition to the High Court. Now Sheikh Abdul Hakim is saying, it’s not a matter of ghostwriting rather it’s about copyright going to the person who wrote it. I checked the definition of the ghostwriter in Wikipedia and from some other sources which say that a ghostwriter will write following a certain outline; he will receive only a lump sum amount. That’s enough. He will not have any other claims. The claim will be between the ghostwriter and the publisher. That is why I am not involved here rather not important.”
“The publisher will advise the ghostwriter how to write following the previously published books. Sheikh Abdul Hakim himself is admitting to the media that, I called and gave him 2 books and instructed him how to write them. He is also admitting that he has received payment, again he is also saying he has not received royalties and copyright. He is saying he needed the money and didn’t know the law!”
“He was 20 odd years old when I first met him. He started writing in 1970 and the law has gradually developed over the years. In 1990 there was a copyright law and now we have the Copyright Act, 2000.”
“The register at the Copyright Office of Bangladesh is saying, he gave the verdict in Sheikh Abdul Hakim’s favour as we didn’t do this or that. He called 4 witnesses and they didn’t appear physically and sent their written statements. These were Sheikh Abdul Hakim’s witnesses and we were not called, we don’t know what those witnesses gave in their testimony anyway the verdict took place.”
“We didn’t want to get involved in this muddle but rather we are forced into it. Now any talks of the settlement are completely out of the window. We will proceed according to law because we had to bear with a lot of lies and foul language. Now he wrote one Masud Rana after another, according to the arrangement between him and Sheba or me. After all these years, he is saying he was deprived of his rights. The register thinks the same way, that it’s not a case of ghostwriting rather the writer should get the copyright. He used to work in the Rahasya Patrika as an assistant editor. We have his identity card with his photo and signature. Of course, he is not talking about those. The ID card shows written in number: 18, date 20.03.1988, name: Sheikh Abdul Hakim, position: Assistant Editor, Rahasya Patrika, and his address during that time. Is it not good enough to prove he worked here?”
Sheikh Abdul Hakim
“I was first introduced to Qazi Anwar Hussain, in 1966 or 1967 by my elder brother Sheikh Abdur Rahman. My elder brother was a well-known writer and journalist in the literary arena and he had a good relation with Qazi Anwar Hossian. My elder brother first told me a story and based on that I wrote a Kuasha. Qazi Anwar Hossain read it and asked me to visit him. By that time my first book Oprinito Paap was published. After reading my first book Oprinito Paap, Qazi Anwar Hossain stated these kinds of books get Nobel Prize. In his own words, he could not rest that afternoon after reading Oprinito Paap.”
“Qazi Anwar Hossain wanted me to write Kuasha in English. But I denied as I thought my command over the English language was not that good. I thought to myself, I might not pull out the same kind of flair that I have for Bengali writing.”
“In 2008, I first realised I was always kept in the dark. I was not told the truth about the actual number of books and the number of editions that were published. I was supposed to receive royalties up to 4 years of the books that I sold the rights to. I hardly received anything compared to the books that were published and what is rightfully mine.”
“Now how I came to know I was deprived of my rights? In 2008 I submitted a script of Masud Rana and upon insisting by one of Qazi Anwar Hossain son’s, I had to give it in a rather hurry. Normally after a year or so a reprint of the book takes place. Now just after one month of the publication of the book, one of his son’s accidentally told me chacha (uncle) a second edition of the book has been printed and we need another script. That was the first clue, the more I kept digging the more foul play I started to find. I kept finding reprints of books which they said were never printed a second time. In more than a few cases I found reprints up to 7 editions of my books which were hidden from me.”
“I always used to request Qazi Anwar Hossain to document the arrangement between us in written form. All the time he refused by giving lame excuses like, paper is nothing but toilet paper, it’s one person’s word to another which is more honourable. I come from a humble background, I was too young, in need of money and didn’t know the law. The fact is I always felt bad inside that I am writing all these books but Qazi Anwar Hossain is taking all the credit.”
“After finding out how I was deprived of my rights and royalties, I decided to confront them directly. In 2010 or so I decided not to write anymore. When I told them, please clear my dues and give me my rights over the books. Qazi Anwar Hossian said, yes you are right but I won’t give it to you, if you have the power, do something about it. In 2010 I went to the Copyright Office Bangladesh and after a decade I have received justice.”
“I used to go the Copyright Office, however, Qazi Anwar Hossain never used to come. Some people think I am a ghostwriter but a ghostwriter will have a contract. According to the documents, and prove from witnesses I should receive a sum of 4 crores or more in royalties. If my memory serves me right, some of the other persons who wrote Masud Rana are Rakib Hasan 1, Iftekhar Amin 58, Sazzad Kabir 1, Shahnaz Chowdhury 4 or 5, Niaz Murshed 5 or 6, Qazi Anwar Hossin 20, and I wrote 260 of them. Most of these people are now very well off economically and are influential personalities of our society.”
“I find it funny, how should I put it, Qazi Anwar Hussain knew about this case from 2010 and always kept silent. Now he is acting as if he knew nothing. The very first Masud Rana I wrote was in 1970 named Jaal. Receiving this verdict is an indication that still in this country people like me with very little money and influence can get justice.”