Delhi HC finds 'Doosra' violates Ganguly’s personality rights

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday held that the film Doosra prima facie violated the personality rights of former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, observing that the filmmakers had commercially exploited his identity and persona without authorisation. However, it refused to halt the film’s theatrical screening, according to reports.

Justice Tejas Karia directed the makers to add disclaimers in English and Hindi within two days, clarifying that Ganguly had not consented to the use of his personality attributes. The filmmakers were also ordered to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs 2 crore within two weeks as security pending the case.

After viewing the film, teaser and trailer, the court found that Ganguly’s presence went beyond the depiction of historical cricketing events. His identity and public recognition had allegedly been used to attract audiences to the fictional narrative.

The 41-page judgment also noted that the filmmakers proceeded with the release despite being aware of the upcoming authorised biopic on Ganguly. The court said the unexplained gap of nearly seven years before the film’s release raised questions about the makers’ intention to commercially exploit his identity.

Failure to comply with the directions would result in a ban on further exhibition or exploitation of the film across platforms, including OTT services.

The lawsuit was filed by Ganguly and Luv Films LLP, which is producing his authorised biopic. The makers of Doosra, directed by Abhinay Deo and starring Plabita Borthakur, Ankur Vikal and Samidha Guru, have maintained that it is a fictional sports drama rather than a biopic.