The film 's plot is similar to Paul Cox 's Australian film '' Innocence '' ( 2000 ) . However Blessy has n't accepted that his movie is based on a foreign film . A controversy aroused when actor Salim Kumar raised plagiarism charges against Blessy and criticised the Kerala State Film Awards jury for awarding him with the Best Director title . Noted film critic Vijayakrishnan says , " '' Pranayam '' is not only inspired by '' Innocence '' but most of the shots are also similar . The jury selected was not competent enough and the panel should be able to spot the difference between an original and a copy . " Jury chairman Bhagyaraj clarifies : " I watched the Hollywood movie after Salim ’s criticism because I was in a dilemma whether my judgement was wrong . But now I am confident that it was correct . After watching it , I was happy that we gave the award to Blessy whose movie was clearly not based on that movie . In fact , love triangle has been happening ever since love came into this universe . There are many movies which have this triangular formula . In fact , if Blessy had taken it from that movie , it would have given him a bad name . But now I can say that he has not taken it from that movie . In fact the characterisation of Mohanlal has been done so well . " However , Paul Cox says that he was happy that his movie had been inspirational for '' Pranayam '' . " I am a person who believes in human virtues . If someone has adapted my film for another language , I am happy about it . Anyway , the matter would have reached courts if it were in America ... Learned that a film of the same story was released in Malayalam and had won several awards . I am happy if such a thing has happened , " Paul Cox said during his visit to Kerala as part of the 17th International Film Festival of Kerala
International Film Festival of Kerala
International Film Festival of Kerala
Pranayam