1 week ago
Gandhari Faces Copyright Claims Before Netflix Release
Taapsee Pannu is starring in a Netflix film called Gandhari.
Two writers say the film may be based on ideas they created earlier.
Kalyan Bandi says he wrote and registered a story called Gandhari in 2019.
His story was about a mother searching for her kidnapped child and fighting a child-trafficking network.
He says he shared the idea with several companies and later sent a legal notice asking for credit and money.
Raghav Desai separately says he pitched a similar Mahabharata-inspired script in 2024.
The film’s makers say these claims are false.
They say Kanika Dhillon independently wrote and produced the film.
Writer Kalyan Bandi says Gandhari resembles a story he wrote and registered in 2019.
Bandi’s account features a mother rescuing her kidnapped child from a trafficking network.
Writer Raghav Desai separately alleges that a similar Mahabharata-inspired script he pitched in 2024 was used.
Bandi says he sent a September 2025 legal notice seeking about ₹40 lakh and credit, but did not pursue court proceedings.
Kathha Pictures denies the allegations and says Gandhari is an original work written and produced by Kanika Dhillon.
- Who
- Writers Kalyan Bandi and Raghav Desai have made separate claims; Kathha Pictures and Kanika Dhillon deny them. The film stars Taapsee Pannu and Ishwak Singh.
- What
- Gandhari is facing copyright and plagiarism allegations over its title, plot and alleged similarities to earlier written materials.
- Where
- Bandi says he pitched his material to Voot, Baweja Studios and JioHotstar. The film is scheduled to release on Netflix.
- When
- The film is scheduled for release on September 3. Bandi says he wrote his story in 2019 and sent a legal notice in September 2025; Desai says he pitched his material in 2024.
- Why
- The writers say the film resembles their earlier concepts, while Kathha Pictures says it is an original work by Kanika Dhillon.
Writers’ Allegations
Makers’ Denial
Story and title
Writers’ Allegations
Kalyan Bandi says Gandhari uses the title and central idea of his story, which he says he wrote and registered in 2019. Raghav Desai separately claims the film resembles a script and novella he pitched in 2024.
Makers’ Denial
Kathha Pictures says the film does not copy another person’s concept or title and is an original work by Kanika Dhillon.
Prior pitches
Writers’ Allegations
Bandi says he shared his material with Monika Shergill at Voot, later approached Baweja Studios and pitched it to JioHotstar. Desai says he pitched similar material to the makers in 2024.
Makers’ Denial
The production house maintains that the film’s story and screenplay are Dhillon’s own work.
Requested resolution
Writers’ Allegations
Bandi says he sought approximately ₹40 lakh and credit through a legal notice, although he says acknowledgment matters more than money. Desai has also sent a legal notice alleging unauthorized use.
Makers’ Denial
Kathha Pictures has called the allegations false and asked that they not be circulated or treated as established facts.
Key facts
- Disputed film
- Gandhari, an upcoming Netflix thriller starring Taapsee Pannu
- Primary allegation
- Kalyan Bandi says the film resembles his 2019 story and title.
- Second allegation
- Raghav Desai says a Mahabharata-inspired script and novella he pitched in 2024 were used without authorization.
- Bandi’s claimed premise
- A mother becomes a fierce, goddess-like figure while trying to rescue her child from a child-trafficking network.
- Legal notice
- Bandi says he sent a notice in September 2025 seeking approximately ₹40 lakh and due credit.
- Bandi’s response
- He says he did not pursue court proceedings because a prolonged legal case would be expensive.
- Makers’ position
- Kathha Pictures says Gandhari is an original work written and produced by Kanika Dhillon.
- Release
- The film is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3.
Quotes
Kathha Pictures
Kanika Dhillon’s production house and the makers of ‘Gandhari’.
“Our attention has been drawn to allegations circulating on social media and in certain publications to the effect that our forthcoming film Gandhari copies another person’s concept and uses that person’s title. These allegations are false, and we deny them unequivocally.”
thestatesman.com
wionews.com
indianexpress.com
“We deny them unequivocally. “Gandhari” is an original work, written and produced by Ms Kanika Dhillon and developed by Kathha Pictures. Its story and screenplay are Ms Dhillon’s own work.”
wionews.com
Sources
Taapsee Pannu’s ‘Gandhari’ in Copyright Controversy
Taapsee Pannu’s ‘Gandhari’ faces plagiarism allegations ahead of September 3 release; makers call claims ‘false’
Taapsee Pannu's Gandhari faces plagiarism row: Writer claims film copied his 2024 script, seeks Rs 40 lakh in compensation
Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari is based on my story, says writer: ‘How can Kanika Dhillon be credited?’
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