Sh*tizsays

10/07/2025

A senior once advised me to leave my screenwriting work in Mumbai, saying:

"Now that you're a lawyer, you can't be involved in movie ventures. It's against the ethics of the legal profession."

I doubted that. I've seen lawyers write books, consult on shows, even get credited in films. So I did what any lawyer would do - I researched the law.

At the time, I was working remotely on screenwriting assignments( a major source of financial support for me).

But since I developed a liking for the law more, I decided to take a leap of faith, stepped away from screenwriting, and committed myself fully to the study of law.

However, during my research, this is what i found. Jotting it down here so that it might help anyone caught between law and the arts.

1. Screenwriting is legally treated as a service, not a business - Under Indian law (especially GST), screenwriting is classified as a “supply of service”, not a business or trade.

2. Lawyers are barred from running businesses, but not from offering services. According to the Bar Council of India rules, advocates are prohibited from engaging in business while practicing law; however, creative services such as writing, teaching, and research are permitted.

3. GST clearly classifies screenwriting as a taxable service. Whether you're assigning a script or licensing rights, it's a service transaction, taxed at 12% or 18%, depending on the nature of the deal.

4. Income from screenwriting is treated as professional income under the Income Tax Act. Similar to consulting or legal drafting, it is classified under ‘Profits and Gains of Profession’.

5. The Copyright Act treats screenwriters as authors and first owners of their work. Unless rights are explicitly assigned by contract, the writer retains full ownership, confirming their independent status.

6. Most screenwriting agreements are contracts for service, not contracts of service. Writers work independently, on project basis, and are not considered employees. This supports their classification as professional service providers.

7. Writers have unwaivable royalty rights under law. Post the 2012 Copyright Amendment, screenwriters in India have a statutory right to future royalties, even if a contract says otherwise.

8. A lawyer can write screenplays as long as it is not structured as a business entity. You don’t need a company to write scripts. As an individual, it qualifies as freelance professional work, within ethical boundaries.

9. The legal system increasingly protects screenwriters. Cases like Jyoti Kapoor v. Kunal Kohli and Kapil Chopra v. Vishesh Films show courts treating screenwriters as authors with contractual and copyright rights.

10. Screenwriting is now recognised as skilled creative labour. Writers have begun unionising (e.g. Screenwriters Association, SRAI), and the legal system now views screenwriting as professional, rights-based creative work, not mere commercial trade.

20/05/2025

Two years ago, I was buried in law books at my home in Lucknow when a phone call from an old friend changed everything.

He was directing a Historic big-budget film, but the project was in trouble. The rough storyline wasn’t clicking. Actors were rejecting it, and the draft was falling flat. With just one month until shooting—and actor schedules locked in—he needed help.

“Pack your bags,” he said. The next day, I was on a flight to Mumbai.

When I arrived, I signed a contract to doctor the screenplay. One read of the existing draft confirmed my fears: it was unworkable.

This wasn’t just a fix—it needed a complete overhaul.

I offered to rewrite the entire screenplay from scratch, no extra charge.

But there was a catch. The actors had commitments elsewhere, and some were leaving the city soon. I had six days to deliver a new draft.

Oh, and I knew nothing about Hamirji Gohil, the historical figure at the heart of the story.

I’d never even been to Gujarat, unless you count a fleeting drive through Ahmedabad’s bypass.

For six relentless days, my director and I barely slept.

We researched, brainstormed, and wrote. By the end, I had 80% of the screenplay—a solid first draft, though the climax remained elusive. It wasn’t perfect, but it was alive.

The next day, we pitched the new draft to actors who’d been skeptical of the original. They loved it—the story, the dialogues, the vision.

Over the next two weeks, I refined the screenplay, weaving in feedback from actors, producers, and anyone with a stake in the project.

One month later, I returned back to Lucknow after completing the screenplay.

Over the next two years, I stayed connected—visited Mumbai for shoots, saw VFX done, and sat on sound design.

During my time in Mumbai earlier, I wrote and directed two films that never saw release.

I penned four scripts for Big Production houses that never got made.

I ghostwrote for seven projects, my name left off the credits.

Countless screenplays I poured my heart into remain locked away in my Laptop folders, never reaching an audience.

No matter how hard I worked, nothing seemed to break through.

But looking back, I realize timing and luck play their part. Life has a strange way of working things out. Ironically, now that I’m back in Lucknow, my phone keeps ringing with screenwriting offers—opportunities I craved when I was in Mumbai.

God has bad sense of humor.

As Kesariveer prepares to hit theaters, I’m filled with quiet pride. As its screenplay and dialogue writer, I played a small but meaningful role in bringing this story to life. Unlike so many of my other scripts, this one will finally meet its audience.

You keep working, keep creating, even when the odds feel stacked against you.

Life’s unpredictable, but every struggle leads somewhere. For me, Kesariveer is proof that sometimes, the stars align just when you least expect it.

Kesari Veer: धर्म की रक्षा, आस्था का संकल्प और सोमनाथ की पवित्र भूमि का गौरव 🙏🏼 Out Now!हर हर महादेव 🙌🏽Releasing Worldwide in Cinemas o...

25/08/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCUmDs0ujqQ

----Disclaimer: All the views mentioned in the video are personal views of Sh*tiz Srivastava and he has no intention of harming anyone’s feeling. He is neith...

30/07/2024

Tumhara Bhai ab High Court mein Advocate ban gaya hai !!

27/03/2024

People often ask me what the prerequisites are for going to Mumbai to become an actor. Since I am not an actor, I often refrain from suggesting anything. My biggest fear is to misguide people. But since the request keeps coming, I have decided to speak about it.

However, do not take the words I speak as the ultimate truth, as they are just my opinion and may or may not work for you.

Use your own wisdom before following the advice.

Here are the 11 Top Tips for Aspiring Actors: Advice to My 25-Year-Old Self -

People often ask me what the prerequisites are for going to Mumbai to become an actor. Since I am not an actor, I often refrain from suggesting anything. My ...

20/01/2024

Thrilled to announce that our next podcast episode on Sh*tizSays features the incredibly talented Rahul Lakhnotra, the star of the much-loved film "12th Fail"! 🎬🌟

Join me in this exclusive chat as Rahul spills the beans about his journey, the making of "12th Fail," and a sneak peek into the world of cinema. 🎙️✨

This interview is not just about films; it's about stories, passion, and the art of storytelling. 🎭✨ Let's make this episode unforgettable! Share the love, spread the word, and let's dive deep into the magic of movies together! 🍿🔥 🎞️🤩

Connect to Rahul Lakhnotra - https://www.threads.net/'s Acting Class - https://www.instagram.com/zerostudio108?utm_source=qr&igsh=Nmpm...

13/01/2024

Why is 12th fail the HIGHEST rated movie on IMDB?

Edited by Rohit Sharma----Disclaimer: All the views mentioned in the video are personal views of Sh*tiz Srivastava and he has no intention of harming anyone’...

05/01/2024

Welcome to the Screenwriting Superstar Club !!

Divulge into the world of screenwriting, Content writing, and creative writing and earn LOADS of MONEY making movies, freelance writing, and scripts on the internet.

Classes will be held ONLINE on Sunday YEAR ROUND for 3 hours.
Leave and join as per your wish.

ONE TIME PAYMENT - LIFETIME CONSULTATION.

LIFEtime MENTORship, Online Guidance and FREE Access to HUNDREDS of EXCLUSIVE Screenplays, Books, and FREE writing softwares.

Classes will be taken by Sh*tiz Srivastava, a Screenwriting EXPERT with 13 years of Experience, an Ex-Professor of Screenwriting, and a WELL-KNOWN screenwriter from HINDI FILM INDUSTRY.

The charges are 5000 Rs. for a Lifetime Membership. (No other hidden charges applied.)

Whatsapp 6387591808 questions, queries and to know the complete Content List of TOPICS covered during the classes.

Eager to meet you all.

27/11/2023

Why do I now prefer MacBook over Windows laptop?

I had never used MacBook much in my life even though I see that most people who are in the creative and tech side use MacBook more than they use a Windows

27/07/2022

Why Shamshera CRASHED and FAILED Miserably?----Disclaimer: All the views mentioned in the video are personal views of Sh*tiz Srivastava and he has no intenti...

10/05/2022

Damn, I didn't like KGF - chapter 2 !!! (Watch the video before hating me)----Telegram Group Channel Join Link - https://t.me/sh*tizsays---Donate If you like...

09/05/2022

FB 24 - Can you Sell Comb(s) to BALD Monks in a Monastery?

3 sales professionals applied to work for a huge company. As they were all evenly qualified, the interviewer decided to set a sales challenge and the person who sold the most would be awarded the job.

The challenge was to sell combs to monks of any temple up in the mountains.

"You have 3 days, and the person who sells the most will get the job," said the interviewer.

After 3 days, the 3 applicants returned and reported their results.

*Candidate 1* said, "I managed to sell one comb. The monks scolded me, saying I was openly mocking them.

Disappointed, I gave up and left. But on my way back, I saw a junior monk with an itchy scalp; he was constantly scratching his head. I told him the comb would help him with his scratching and he bought one comb."

*Candidate 2* said, "That's good, but I did better. I sold 10 combs."

Excited, the interviewer asked, "How did you do it?"

Candidate 2 replied, "I observed that the visitors had very messy hair due to the strong winds they faced while walking to the temple. I convinced the monk to give out combs to the visitors so they could tidy themselves up and show greater respect during their worship."

*Candidate 3* stepped up, "Not so fast, I sold more than both of them."

"How many did you sell," asked the interviewer.

"A Thousand Combs"

"Wow! How did you do it?" the interviewer exclaimed.

"I went to one of the biggest temples there and thanked the Senior Master for serving the people and providing a sacred place of worship for them. He was very gracious and said he would like to thank and appreciate his visitors for their support and devotion. I suggested that the best way would be to offer his visitors a momento and the blessing of Buddha.

I showed him the wooden combs on which I had engraved words of blessings and told him people would use the combs daily and would serve as a constant reminder to do good deeds. He liked the idea and proceeded to order a thousand combs"

"You got lucky," one of the other candidates said bitterly.

"Not really," the interviewer countered. "He had a plan, which was why he had the comb engraved prior to his visit. Even if that temple did not want it, another one surely would."

"There is more," the third candidate smiled. "I went back to the temple yesterday to check on the Master. He said, many visitors told their friends and family about the comb with the Buddha's blessing.

Now even more people are visiting every day. Everyone is asking for the comb, and giving generous donations too!

The temple is more popular than ever, and the Master says he will run out of the combs in a month... and will need to order more!"