New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to stay the October 23 theatrical release of ‘Doosra’, following a plea by former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly alleging a violation of his personality rights.
Ganguly and production house Luv Films LLP had approached the court seeking to restrain the film’s release, arguing that it commercially exploits the former cricketer’s identity and infringes the production house’s exclusive contractual rights over his proposed biopic.
Justice Dinesh Bhatt clarified that the court had not stayed the film’s release. “I have said no stay, so the film can go on,” he said, as quoted in the report. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on October 23.
In their plea, Ganguly and Luv Films alleged that Doosra uses elements of the former cricketer’s life, including his captaincy during the 2002 NatWest Series final and his iconic shirtless celebration at Lord’s, without authorisation.
They sought an injunction against the film’s theatrical and digital release, as well as promotional material allegedly using Ganguly’s name, image, likeness and memorable cricketing moments without consent.
According to the suit, Ganguly signed an agreement with Luv Films on August 5, 2021, granting the production house exclusive rights to develop, produce and commercially exploit audiovisual projects, including a biopic based on his life and cricketing career.
The petition also states that Luv Films has invested substantially in the authorised biopic, Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story, which is scheduled to release in theatres on May 14, 2027.
The suit further alleges that the trailer and promotional campaign for Doosra, launched on October 12, prominently refer to Ganguly’s leadership of the Indian cricket team and its historic victory in the 2002 NatWest Series final against England.
The petitioners argued that these references could lead audiences to believe that Ganguly is associated with or has endorsed the film.
The plea also cited an interview in which director Abhinay Deo discussed how the NatWest final and milestones from Ganguly’s career influenced the film’s fictional character, Tara.
However, counsel for the filmmakers argued that Doosra is not a biopic on Ganguly but tells the story of a young girl from Rajasthan who draws inspiration from the former cricket captain.
The filmmakers also submitted that they had obtained a licence from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to use footage from the NatWest Series, arguing that Ganguly does not hold rights over the footage.
Featuring Plabita Borthakur as Tara, Doosra follows a young girl who struggles to fit into her conservative household. Inspired by Ganguly’s defiant celebration at Lord’s, she finds the courage to challenge the expectations imposed on her and pursue her own freedom.
Produced by Masha Sajdeh and Rohan Sajdeh, with Neeta Shah as co-producer, the film has a story and screenplay by Agnello Oswin Dias and an original score by Ram Sampat.
The cast also includes Ankur Vikal, Samidha Guru, Tvisha Seema and Krishna Gokani. Doosra is scheduled to release on October 23.