The Delhi High Court has ruled that the film Doosra: India’s Other Freedom Struggle infringed former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly’s personality rights, while declining to halt its theatrical screening.
In an interim order passed on Friday, November 6, Justice Tejas Karia directed the makers to add disclaimers to the film and furnish financial security of Rs2 crore, according to reports by PTI and Outlook India.
What the court ordered
The suit was filed by Ganguly together with Luv Films LLP, which is producing an authorised biopic on the cricketer. They alleged unauthorised commercial use of his identity, career milestones and well-known moments from his playing days, including references to the 2002 NatWest Series final at Lord’s, Outlook India reported.
The court found that the film prima facie violated Ganguly’s personality rights. According to Outlook India, Justice Karia observed that these elements were so closely tied to the film’s story that the disputed portions could not practically be removed.
- Disclaimers: The makers, Ramesh Deo Productions Private Limited, must add disclaimers in Hindi and English at the start and end of the film within two days of the order. Reports say the disclaimers must make clear that Ganguly did not consent to the use of his persona.
- Rs2 crore security: Outlook India and PTI reported this as an unconditional bank guarantee to be furnished with the court’s registrar within two weeks. Bollywood Hungama described it as a deposit.
- Screening: The court refused to interfere with the film’s theatrical run, PTI reported.
- If conditions are not met: Outlook India reported that the makers would be restrained from commercially exploiting the film if they fail to comply.
Bollywood Hungama also reported that the makers are restrained from releasing the film on OTT platforms or any other medium. This point was not included in the other reports reviewed, so readers may wish to await the published order for full details.
What the makers have said
According to Outlook India, the makers’ legal team told the court that the film is a fictional story about a middle-class girl from Rajasthan who draws inspiration from cricketing events, and that it is “not a biopic on Ganguly”. They also said they had obtained permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the England and Wales Cricket Board to use match footage.
About the film and the case so far
Doosra is a sports drama directed by Abhinay Deo and starring Plabita Borthakur, Ankur Vikal and Samidha Guru. It was released in cinemas on October 23, 2026, PTI reported.
The case has moved through several hearings in recent weeks:
- October 22: the court declined to stop the film’s theatrical release on Ganguly’s plea.
- October 23: the court asked the makers to respond and to arrange a screening of the film.
- November 6: the interim order on personality rights, disclaimers and financial security.
Separately, Ganguly’s authorised biopic, Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story, stars Rajkummar Rao and is directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, with Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg among the producers.
A growing area of law in Indian cinema
Personality rights protect a well-known person’s name, image, likeness and other identifying traits from being used commercially without permission. Indian courts, including the Delhi High Court, have heard a number of such cases involving film and sports personalities in recent years. The ruling comes as film makers and courts continue to deal with questions of piracy and rights, as seen in the Bombay High Court’s anti-piracy order for Ramayana earlier this month.
Sources: Outlook India, The Patriot (PTI), Bollywood Hungama.
