Delhi HC seeks response from makers of ‘Doosra’ on Sourav Ganguly’s personality rights plea
The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the makers of the film “Doosra” to respond to cricketer Sourav Ganguly’s plea alleging violation of his personality rights. Justice Kumar, sitting during the court’s Dussehra break, issued summons to the film’s producers, director and distributor.
Hearing the plea, a vacation bench of Justice Vinod Kumar said the issue of any interim relief against the movie can only be decided after the defendants file their replies and asked them to also arrange a screening of the movie, which was released in theatres earlier on Friday.
The suit has been filed by Ganguly and Luv Films LLP, which is producing a biopic on the former India captain. His counsel told the court that no licence was taken from him for making the film.
Rejecting tbe claims the senior counsel for the makers argued that “Doosra” is not a biopic but a fictional story of a middle-class Rajasthani girl inspired by certain sporting events involving the cricketer. Sources also reported that the makers also say they hold a BCCI licence for the footage used.
The court directed the defendants to arrange a screening of the film so it can decide whether Ganguly’s personality rights are violated, and listed the matter for 29 October. The court also declined an oral request to stop the film’s OTT release.
On Thursday, the court had refused to stop the film’s theatrical release on 23 October.
“Doosra: India’s Other Freedom Struggle” is a sports drama directed by Abhinay Deo and starring Plabita Borthakur, Ankur Vikal, Samidha Guru, Tvisha Seema and Krishna Gokani. It is set backdrop of India’s famous 2002 NatWest Series victory over England, Doosra takes the image of Sourav Ganguly celebrating at Lord’s and gives it a different meaning. The film follows Tara, a young girl who struggles to fit into her conservative household and begins questioning the expectations placed on her. When she watches his defiant celebration on television, his refusal to conform inspires her to find the courage to challenge the rules governing her own life, even if it means facing the consequences.
Doosra is produced by Masha Sajdeh and Rohan Sajdeh, with Neeta Shah as co-producer. The story and screenplay are written by Agnello Oswin Dias, while Ram Sampat has composed the original score. The film stars