Delhi High Court Weighs In on Sourav Ganguly's Legal Battle Over 'Doosra'
Court Responds to Sourav Ganguly's Lawsuit Against 'Doosra'
The Delhi High Court has formally asked the production team of the film 'Doosra' to respond to a lawsuit filed by former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly claims that the sports-themed film violates his personality rights and is seeking to prevent its release in theaters. However, the court did not grant an immediate stay on the film's premiere, which took place as planned on Friday.
During a session led by Justice Vinod Kumar, the court, which is currently on a Dussehra break, issued summons to the film's producers, director, and distributor. To assess the allegations of infringement, the court has requested a private screening of the film to determine if it indeed breaches the plaintiff's rights before considering any interim relief. A follow-up hearing is set for October 29.
Legal Perspectives and Film Overview
In defense of the filmmakers, senior counsel argued that 'Doosra' is not a biographical account of Ganguly but rather a fictional story about a young woman from Rajasthan who draws motivation from notable sporting events linked to the cricketer. The defense also claimed that they had obtained the necessary permissions to use archival footage from the 2002 NatWest Series. Furthermore, they argued that a professional athlete cannot assert personality rights over publicly broadcasted clips from sporting events.
On the other hand, legal representatives for Ganguly and Luv Films LLP, who are producing an authorized biopic of the cricketer, contended that no permission was granted by Ganguly for the making of 'Doosra.' They argued that the film's depiction of Ganguly's iconic celebration at Lord’s infringes on his rights. While the defense maintained that the request for an interim stay was irrelevant after the film's release, the plaintiffs' legal team insisted that the court still holds the power to provide relief.
Directed by Agnello Oswin Dias, 'Doosra' tells the story of Tara, who is inspired by the 2002 NatWest Series victory to defy societal norms within her traditional family. The film features a cast that includes Plabita Borthakur, Ankur Vikal, Samidha Guru, Tvisha Seema, and Krishna Gokani, with music composed by Ram Sampat. As the legal proceedings unfold, the court's upcoming review of the film is anticipated to play a crucial role in this ongoing legal conflict.