Amid the excitement surrounding the impending release of Taapsee Pannu’s upcoming film ‘Gandhari’ on Netflix, a significant copyright controversy has emerged. Writer Kalyan Bandi claims that the film, set to be released just days from now, bears a striking resemblance to a story he had written and registered back in 2019. Bandi has consequently sent a legal notice to the film’s makers.
However, the producers of ‘Gandhari’, Kanika Dhillon’s production house Kathha Pictures, have categorically refuted the allegations. They assert that the film is an original creation and that the claims against it are false and unfounded.
The emergence of this dispute comes at a time when ‘Gandhari’ was already generating considerable buzz due to its subject matter and Taapsee Pannu’s powerful role. The film is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3, 2026.
What is ‘Gandhari’ all about?
In ‘Gandhari’, Taapsee Pannu portrays the role of a mother who embarks on a relentless pursuit to find and retrieve her abducted daughter. The narrative centers on her desperate struggle and unwavering determination to rescue her child.
The film has been written and produced by Kanika Dhillon, while Devashish Makhija serves as its director. Besides Taapsee Pannu, the film also features a stellar cast including Swastika Mukherjee, Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Mita Vashisht, and Jatin Sarna. This film marks yet another collaboration between actress Taapsee Pannu and writer-producer Kanika Dhillon.
Although the title ‘Gandhari’ itself is reminiscent of a well-known character from the epic Mahabharata, the current copyright complaint is not simply about the use of the name; it primarily focuses on the story itself.
What exactly does writer Kalyan Bandi allege?
Kalyan Bandi claims that he conceived and wrote a story titled ‘Gandhari’ in 2019. He states that this story was duly registered and subsequently presented to various individuals within the film and streaming industry.
According to Bandi, his story was centered on a mother who, in her desperate attempt to save her child from a child-trafficking ring, transforms into a formidable, almost god-like figure. He now contends that the core idea and numerous plot points of the upcoming Taapsee Pannu starrer share significant similarities with the story he had authored years ago.
Bandi, an alumnus of IIT Madras and currently working as an Inspector in the Central GST and Customs department, recounts that he first reached out to Monika Shergill via LinkedIn in 2019. Shergill was at the time employed with a different streaming platform and currently holds the position of Vice President of Content at Netflix India.
He further alleges that Shergill requested him to submit his story via email. After doing so, he was informed that the story was not suitable for that platform and he was free to explore other avenues with it. Bandi claims he continued to pitch the story and by late 2023, a studio showed interest in developing it as a feature film.
Why is the title also a contentious point?
Bandi’s allegations extend beyond narrative parallels; he has also questioned the film’s title. He maintains that since he had already written and registered a story named ‘Gandhari’ in 2019, the Netflix film using the same title and exhibiting similarities raises concerns.
While a common title alone may not constitute copyright infringement, as copyright law generally protects the expression of ideas rather than the ideas themselves, Bandi’s contention highlights a critical aspect of the dispute. He questions how the new film could utilize the same title and incorporate similar narrative elements without acknowledging his contribution.
Legal notice dispatched over the alleged infringements
It has been reported that Kalyan Bandi has sent a legal notice to Monika Shergill concerning his claims. The notice reportedly addresses issues of copyright infringement and the alleged resemblance between his 2019 work and the upcoming film. Reports also suggest that he has pursued a legal course of action rather than simply bringing the matter to public attention on social media.
However, it is important to note a crucial distinction. As of now, there have been no court rulings to establish that ‘Gandhari’ has indeed copied Bandi’s story. This remains an allegation made by the writer, which has been strongly denied by the film’s makers.
What has the production house stated?
Kathha Pictures has issued a firm denial of the allegations. In a statement released following the circulation of the claims, the production house acknowledged that its attention had been drawn to reports suggesting that ‘Gandhari’ infringes on another person’s concept and title.
They reiterated that the film is an original work penned by Kanika Dhillon and categorically rejected any suggestions of copying the story or title.
During the trailer launch of the film in Mumbai on August 25, the producers addressed the controversy publicly. Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Netflix Original Films director, and Kanika Dhillon defended the film’s originality. They emphasized that ‘Gandhari’ is an independent production and expressed confidence that the audience would gain a clearer perspective after watching the trailer and the film itself.
Kathha Pictures has also characterized the copyright allegations as baseless.
What’s next in store?
Currently, the dispute stands as a clash between the writer’s accusations and the filmmakers’ denial. Kalyan Bandi insists that his 2019 registered story has parallels with the film and was shared with industry professionals before its development. The makers, conversely, maintain that ‘Gandhari’ was exclusively written by Kanika Dhillon and does not borrow from Bandi’s work.
The resolution of the copyright issue will ultimately hinge on a thorough comparison of the actual creative works involved, as well as an examination of evidence pertaining to access, creation, and utilization of the earlier material. The mere presence of similar themes or ideas does not automatically signify infringement.
The timing of this copyright claim has significantly amplified the attention on the film, as the promotional activities for ‘Gandhari’ are in full swing ahead of its Netflix premiere. For Taapsee Pannu, this controversy adds another layer to an already buzzworthy film, with its action-packed plot and her compelling portrayal of a mother fighting to save her child. At present, both sides stand firm on their positions. Bandi alleges similarities with his 2019 story and is pursuing legal recourse, while the filmmakers assert the film’s originality, and no court has, as yet, ruled on the matter.
