Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the theatrical portrayal of his life in the recently released sports drama, 'Doosra'. Alongside production house Luv Films, the former cricketer alleges that the film commercially exploits his personal history, likeness, and significant career milestones without his permission. The litigation highlights a growing emphasis on personality rights in the entertainment sector, as the legal teams clash over the boundaries of creative inspiration and contractual exclusivity.
The legal dispute is deeply connected to an agreement signed on August 5, 2021, between Sourav Ganguly and Luv Films. Under this contract, Luv Films secured exclusive global audiovisual rights to produce an authorized biographical film about the cricketer, currently titled 'Dada'. Luv Films contends that 'Doosra' infringes upon these acquired rights, arguing that the movie improperly features elements tied to Ganguly’s name, voice, and personal narrative, which are central to their own production.
A primary point of contention involves the film's depiction of the 2002 NatWest Series. Counsel for the petitioners argued that the second half of the movie relies heavily on events from this tournament, including moments associated with Ganguly’s captaincy and his iconic shirtless celebration on the Lord's balcony. They maintain that the unauthorized use of these recognizable career-defining moments constitutes a violation of Ganguly's personality rights for commercial gain.
In their defense, the makers of 'Doosra' have firmly rejected the claim that their work is a biography of the former captain. They argue that the film is a fictional story centered on a young woman from Rajasthan who finds inspiration in Indian cricket history. The filmmakers asserted that they have secured all necessary permissions to use cricket footage, including clearances from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). They distinguish between the rightful use of licensed match footage and the alleged exploitation of an individual's personal identity.
The Delhi High Court has adopted a cautious approach to the matter. On October 22, the court declined to issue an immediate stay on the film’s release. During subsequent proceedings on October 29, Justice Tejas Karia directed Ganguly’s legal team to provide a precise list of scenes deemed objectionable, complete with timestamps and specific justifications for each objection. This directive aims to allow the court to assess whether there are actionable infringements without resorting to the drastic measure of blocking the entire production.
To assist in the evaluation, the court has requested the filmmakers to submit a copy of the film for a private screening. Furthermore, the court has asked for the manuscript of the upcoming 'Dada' biopic to be submitted in a sealed envelope. This will enable the bench to better understand the scope of the rights Luv Films claims to hold under their 2021 agreement and determine if the grievances presented warrant judicial intervention.
As the legal battle continues, the court remains focused on whether the alleged violations are pervasive enough to justify halting the film or if specific adjustments would suffice. By narrowing the scope of the inquiry to identified segments, the judiciary seeks to balance the rights of the subject with the creative output of the filmmakers. The proceedings remain ongoing as both parties prepare to present their arguments during the next stage of the hearing.
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