Entertainment · Indian Cinema · 8 hrs ago
Delhi High Court allows Doosra release as Ganguly's rights case continues
The Delhi High Court declined to stop the release of Doosra, a Hindi sports drama inspired by former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly.
Ganguly and Luv Films asked the court to block the film, saying it uses events from his life without permission.
Their plea points to his captaincy and India’s 2002 NatWest Series final win, including his shirtless celebration at Lord’s.
The filmmakers say the film is about a fictional girl who draws inspiration from Ganguly, not a biopic of him.
They also say they have a licence from the BCCI to use footage from the series.
Luv Films says it has exclusive rights to make a biopic under an agreement with Ganguly, and has a film about him planned for 2027.
The court will hear the case again Friday, the same day Doosra is scheduled to reach theatres.
The Delhi High Court declined to stop the release of Doosra, which is scheduled to reach theatres on Friday.
The court will continue hearing Sourav Ganguly’s plea on Friday.
Ganguly and Luv Films allege that the film uses aspects of his identity and cricketing career without consent and infringes their rights.
The filmmakers say the film is about a fictional character inspired by Ganguly, not a biopic of him.
The case also concerns Luv Films’ claimed exclusive rights to develop a biographical film about Ganguly.
- Who
- Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and Luv Films LLP, and the makers of Doosra.
- What
- The Delhi High Court refused to stay the film’s release while hearing a case over alleged personality-rights and contractual-rights violations.
- When
- The court declined to stay the release on Thursday; the hearing is to continue on Friday.
- Where
- Delhi High Court, India.
- Why
- Ganguly and Luv Films allege the film uses his identity and cricketing moments without consent and infringes their rights. The filmmakers say it is a fictional story inspired by him and that they have a licence to use the cricket footage.
Sourav Ganguly and Luv Films
Doosra filmmakers
Use of Ganguly’s identity
Sourav Ganguly and Luv Films
The suit says the film uses his name, image, likeness and cricketing moments without consent or a licence.
Doosra filmmakers
The filmmakers’ lawyer said the film is not a biopic of Ganguly but tells the story of a girl from Rajasthan inspired by him.
Rights over the story and footage
Sourav Ganguly and Luv Films
Luv Films says it has exclusive contractual rights to develop and commercially exploit a biographical film about Ganguly; the suit alleges Doosra infringes those rights.
Doosra filmmakers
The filmmakers’ lawyer said they obtained a BCCI licence to use NatWest Series footage and argued that Ganguly has no rights over the footage itself.
Ganguly entered into an agreement with Luv Films for exclusive rights to develop and produce audiovisual content about his life and cricketing career.
Doosra’s trailer and promotional campaign were launched.
Director Deo discussed how the 2002 final and milestones in Ganguly’s career influenced the film’s fictional character, Tara, in an interview.
The Delhi High Court refused to stay Doosra’s release.
The film is scheduled to reach theatres, and the court is to continue hearing Ganguly’s plea.
- Film
- Doosra: India’s Other Freedom Struggle
- Release
- Scheduled for Friday
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Proposed biopic
- Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story
- Biopic release date
- May 14, 2027
- NatWest Series final
- 2002
3 sources
What people are saying
I have said no stay, so the film can go on,