The Delhi High Court has asked Sourav Ganguly to do something precise: identify the specific scenes in the film Doosra that he believes violate his personality rights. The direction shifts the case from a broad objection to a scene-by-scene examination, and it gives the filmmakers a clearer target to answer.
What the court ordered
Justice Tejas Karia issued the direction while hearing Ganguly’s lawsuit against the makers of Doosra. According to PTI, the court asked the defendants to provide a pen drive containing the film. The next hearing has been listed for November 2.
Ganguly’s legal team argued that the film uses his identity and achievements without obtaining his consent. They are seeking a temporary injunction even though the film released in theatres last week. The court was also told that Doosra has not yet been released on any streaming platform.
The case Ganguly’s side is making
The counsel for the former India captain was blunt about the concern.
“It is all about Sourav Ganguly’s life. His image has been badly exploited without consent. After intermission, it is all about the 2002 NatWest match,” the counsel argued.
The 2002 NatWest final remains a marker in Indian cricket memory, and its presence in Doosra is a central part of the objection. Doosra tells the fictional story of a middle-class girl from Rajasthan whose life is shaped by big Indian cricket moments, especially those linked to Ganguly. For Ganguly’s side, that inspiration is too close to an unauthorised screen portrait.
The makers’ defence
The filmmakers opposed the allegations, saying Ganguly’s career had only served as inspiration for a fictional narrative. Their legal representative also said the necessary permissions had been obtained from copyright holders for the cricket footage used in the film.
That leaves two different claims in front of the court: Ganguly says his identity and achievements were used without consent, while the makers say the story is fiction and the footage is licensed. The scene-by-scene exercise could help clarify which side has the stronger position.
Why this matters for Hindi films
Bollywood often looks to real public figures for story material, from sports legends to politicians and musicians. The difference between inspiration and portrayal is often blurred, but personality rights put a legal boundary around it. A personality right lets an individual control how their name, image or identity is used in a commercial project.
If a court eventually interprets that boundary strictly, future Hindi films may need more careful clearances before turning a living icon into a character or a story hook. The case is also notable because the film is already in theatres, which makes the request for an injunction a harder ask.
A short timeline
- October 22: Delhi High Court declined to stop the theatrical release of Doosra.
- October 23: The court directed the filmmakers to respond to Ganguly’s allegations and arrange a screening.
- October 29: The court asked Ganguly to flag specific contested scenes and fixed November 2 as the next hearing date.
What happens next
The November 2 hearing will examine the scenes Ganguly identifies and the filmmakers’ defence. Since the film is out in cinemas but not yet on streaming, the outcome could also have a bearing on any digital release plans.
For audiences, Doosra stays in theatres for now. For producers, the case is a reminder that a real-life figure can be a creative spark and a legal risk at the same time.
Source: Filmfare