The Delhi High Court said makers of the film Doosra commercially exploited Sourav Ganguly’s identity. On November 6, the court noted that the movie violated his personality rights. While the screening continues, the filmmakers must add a disclaimer and provide a bank guarantee of Rs 2 crore for the case.
Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has approached the Delhi High Court over the film Doosra, alleging a violation of his personality rights. The sports drama, which hit theatres on October 23, has landed in a legal dispute over its portrayal of the cricket legend. The case has brought the spotlight on the growing debate around filmmakers' use of real-life personalities and their identities in cinematic projects. The film, directed by Abhinay Deo, stars Plabita Borthakur, Ankur Vikal and Samidha Guru. Ganguly has filed the lawsuit along with Luv Films LLP, which is producing his biopic.
The Delhi High Court on Friday (November 6) observed that the makers of Doosra prima facie violated former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly's personality rights. Justice Tejas Karia noted that the film went beyond merely depicting historical events and that the defendants had prima facie commercially exploited Ganguly's identity and persona.
While refusing to halt the film's screening, the court directed the filmmakers to incorporate an appropriate disclaimer in Doosra. It also asked them to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs 2 crore. The directions came as part of an interim order passed in the lawsuit filed by Ganguly and Luv Films LLP, which is producing the former cricketer's biopic.
Sourav Ganguly's legal dispute with the makers of Doosra centres on the alleged unauthorised use of his identity in the film's promotional material and narrative. Ganguly and Luv Films LLP approached the Delhi High Court, arguing that the film's trailer and marketing campaign featured references to his celebrated cricketing career without his consent.
A major point of contention is India's historic victory against England in the 2002 NatWest Series final. Ganguly's iconic shirtless celebration from the Lord's balcony following the win remains etched in Indian cricket history. The petitioners argued that using such recognisable moments could mislead viewers into believing that Ganguly was associated with or had endorsed the film.
At the heart of the lawsuit are questions surrounding personality rights and the exclusive contractual rights associated with Ganguly's proposed biopic. The former India captain and Luv Films have objected to what they describe as the unauthorised commercial use of his name, image and significant career moments. Luv Films has also relied on an agreement signed on August 5, 2021, claiming it holds exclusive rights to develop a biographical film on Ganguly. Its upcoming project, Dada - The Sourav Ganguly Story, is scheduled to release on May 14, 2027. The petitioners maintain that Doosra's promotional campaign could infringe upon these contractual rights, an allegation disputed by the filmmakers.
Meanwhile, before delhi HC's statement on November 6, the filmmakers have maintained that Doosra is not a biographical film based on Sourav Ganguly's life. Instead, they describe it as a sports drama revolving around Tara, a middle-class girl from Rajasthan whose outlook is shaped by sporting moments and Ganguly's fighting spirit. The makers have also told the court that they obtained permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to use certain cricket footage featured in the film. Their argument is that references to historical sporting events and the inspiration drawn from celebrated cricketers do not automatically make a film an unauthorised biopic.