The makers of the Oscar-nominated film Dreamgirls have apologised publicly to Motown after complaints by a number of artists that the musical depicted the renowned record label in a negative light.

In a full-page advertisement in Hollywood’s two major trade papers - Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter - the makers insisted the movie was a work of fiction and apologised for any “confusion” caused.

The film, which boasts such glittering names as Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and Beyonce Knowles, is an adaptation from the hit Broadway musical of the same name, and has been widely seen as a thinly veiled story of the rise of Motown and one of its greatest acts, Diana Ross and the Supremes.

But the film’s account has annoyed several of the recording artists, writers and others connected with the label, who have accused the makers of presenting a falsely negative image.

One of the most vocal critics has been Motown veteran Smokey Robinson, who slammed the characters in the film as "very, very, very offensive to me". Diana Ross, said to be loosely portrayed by Knowles’s character, joked on ABC News that she had not seen the film yet and should “maybe....go see it with my lawyer.”

The objections led to what a Mowtown spokesman described as “amicable discussions” between representatives for the label’s founder Berry Gordy Jr and executives from DreamWorks pictures and its parent studio, Paramount Pictures, reported Reuters.

“Dreamgirls is a work of fiction,” the advert stated. “It is also an homage to Motown. For any confusion that has resulted from our fictional work, we apologise to Mr Gordy and all of the incredible people who were part of that great legacy. It is vital that the public understand that the real Motown story has yet to be told.”

The statement – paid for by DreamWorks – did not allude specifically to how the film might have confused the public. Smokey Robinson’s criticism revolved around scenes depicting Foxx’s character – likened to Mr Gordy - launching his fictional label with money obtained from mobsters and engaging in the illegal practice of “payola,” in which music producers pay radio stations into order to get airplay. Robinson has insisted that Mr Gordy engaged in neither of those activities.

Responding to the apology, Mr Gordy said: “I applaud Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures for doing their part to clearly differentiate the fictional movie Dreamgirls from the real Motown. I wish them all the best in the forthcoming Academy Awards.”

The statement was published a day after voting on the winners of this Academy Awards came to an end, ensuring that any further fallout from the unusual disclaimer could not have an effect on the Oscar battle. Dreamgirls is competing in eight categories, including best supporting actor and best supporting actress for Murphy and Jennifer Hudson, respectively.

Although the film has been warmly received by critics and pundits alike, it has failed to escape censure from a small but vocal minority, with the debate about its presentation of Motown reflected across internet blogs and discussion forums.

“I was also upset that the movie presents a lot of false information,” says Oliver on Black Voices Blog. “Anybody with a knowledge of Motown, realised early on in the movie that DreamGirls is a Motown story told with a twist of lime. I liked it but I didn't love it, then I hated it more!!!!!”

Misterk, writing on hop-hop website SOHH.com, appears to agree: “Although Dreamgirls is mostly fiction...I think Smokey Robinson may have a point. Many young people….will go and see this movie and think that is what really happened. So I agree with him in that it may affect people's perception of the Motown era….”

But the majority of web-based discussions appear to be on the side of the filmmakers. “The film is not billed as a factual documentary of the motown era, so I don't see what their problem is,” says ‘K’ writing on SOHH. “The film may be similar to the Supremes saga but it is a dramatisation of the what may have happened [sic]. Any of course they are going to make the storyline more bitchy and vicious so it is more interesting.”

And Nicole, on Black Voices Blogs adds: “Dreamgirls didn't tell us anything new about Motown, Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, or anybody else for that matter. Whatever people thought about them before, the movie didn't change that. And think of all the thousands of people who've seen the stage play? It's a movie.”

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