Netflix and Kanika Dhillon Address Plagiarism Allegations Over Film Gandhari
Netflix India and writer-producer Kanika Dhillon have publicly responded to plagiarism allegations regarding the upcoming feature film Gandhari following a legal notice served to the streaming platform by screenwriter Kalyan Bandi. The statements were made during the movie’s official trailer launch event in Mumbai.
What Happened
The controversy emerged on the day of the trailer launch, following a report published by Mid-Day stating that screenwriter Kalyan Bandi had issued a legal notice to Netflix. The notice accused the platform of plagiarising his script for the film Gandhari.
The trailer launch was attended by cast members Taapsee Pannu, Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Mita Vashisht, and Jatin Sarna, along with writer and producer Kanika Dhillon, director Devashish Makhija, and Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Director of Original Films at Netflix India.
When questioned by a journalist about the allegations, Sheikh defended the project, stating that Netflix takes originality and artistic attribution seriously. She explained that the platform receives numerous pitches and clarified that the pitch referenced by the screenwriter is very different from the film created by Dhillon and Pannu. Sheikh added that the company maintains strict commitments to original storytelling regardless of a creator’s prior experience.
Kanika Dhillon also addressed the matter, noting that while she respects artistic sentiments, she has never met the writer raising the complaint. Dhillon stated that viewing the final film would provide clarity, reiterating that the script is completely original and subject to stringent platform parameters.
Key Highlights
- Screenwriter Kalyan Bandi sent a legal notice to Netflix accusing the platform of plagiarising his script for Gandhari.
- Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Director of Original Films at Netflix India, stated that the pitch in question is distinctly different from the final production.
- Writer and producer Kanika Dhillon clarified that she has never met Bandi and asserted that the screenplay is an original work.
- The film features Taapsee Pannu, Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Mita Vashisht, and Jatin Sarna, under the direction of Devashish Makhija.
- Gandhari is scheduled to premiere exclusively on Netflix on September 3.
Why This Matters
Intellectual property disputes and accusations of script plagiarism present significant legal and reputational hurdles for streaming platforms and production teams. The public rebuttals from both Netflix India’s leadership and the film’s writer outline the platform’s vetting standards and demonstrate an active stance against claims of unauthorized story duplication.
What to Watch Next
The film Gandhari is scheduled for official streaming release on Netflix on September 3, an event that creator Kanika Dhillon noted would offer viewers and the complaining writer full clarity regarding the content of the script.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who initiated the legal notice regarding Gandhari?
Screenwriter Kalyan Bandi sent a legal notice to Netflix alleging script plagiarism, according to a report by Mid-Day.
What was Netflix India’s response to the plagiarism notice?
Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh stated that Netflix takes artistic attribution and originality seriously, noting that the pitch referenced in the dispute differs significantly from the film produced by Kanika Dhillon and Taapsee Pannu.
What did writer Kanika Dhillon say about the allegations?
Kanika Dhillon stated that she has never met the writer who issued the notice, emphasized that the film is based on an entirely original script, and expressed confidence that the situation would become clear once the film is viewed.
When is Gandhari scheduled to premiere?
Gandhari is scheduled to release on Netflix on September 3.
Source: Bollywood Hungama