Delhi High Court rejects Sourav Ganguly’s plea to stop ‘Doosra’ release: Here’s why

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly approached the Delhi High Court to stop the release of the upcoming film Doosra, scheduled to hit theatres on October 23. He filed the case over an alleged violation of his personality rights. However, the court refused to stay the film’s release, allowing it to arrive in cinemas as planned.

Ganguly’s lawsuit also involves production house Luv Films LLP. He sought to stop the film’s release, alleging that his personality rights had been violated and that his likeness was being used for commercial purposes without authorisation. The case raises questions about the use of a public figure’s identity in films and other commercial projects.

During Thursday’s hearing, Justice Dinesh Bhatt made it clear that the court would not stop the film’s scheduled release. The legal case, however, remains ongoing, with the next hearing set for Friday, October 23. The film, starring Plabita Borthakur in the lead role, is set to release on the same day.

Delhi High Court rejects Ganguly’s plea against ‘Doosra’ release

Sourav Ganguly argued before the Delhi High Court that the promotional material for Doosra uses his identity and cricketing achievements without proper authorisation. His plea referred to his role in India’s famous 2002 NatWest Series final win against England and his iconic shirtless celebration on the Lord’s balcony. He claimed that these references were being used to attract viewers and could wrongly suggest that he was associated with or had endorsed the film.

The case also refers to an agreement signed in August 2021, under which Ganguly granted Luv Films exclusive rights to make a biographical film about his life. The project, titled Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story, is scheduled for release in 2027. Ganguly argued that the use of elements linked to his life and career in Doosra could violate his personality and commercial rights.

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The makers of Doosra, however, argued that the film is not a biopic of Ganguly. Their legal team said the story follows a young woman from Rajasthan who finds inspiration in the former India captain’s career. They also stated that the production team had obtained the required licences from the BCCI to use footage from the 2002 NatWest Series. The makers maintained that Ganguly does not own the broadcast footage, while his plea seeks protection against the unauthorised commercial use of his identity.

Why the Court refused: Key arguments and observations

The Delhi High Court refused to stop the release of Doosra after observing that the balance of convenience favoured the filmmakers. Justice Dinesh Bhatt noted that the film was scheduled to release on Friday and said the court would not stop it on the day of the hearing. The judge also acknowledged that Sourav Ganguly might have valuable rights, but the court did not grant his request to delay the release. The case was listed for further hearing on October 23.

The filmmakers argued that Doosra is not a biopic of Ganguly but tells the story of a middle-class girl from Rajasthan who finds inspiration in sporting events linked to the former India captain. Their legal counsel also said the team had obtained the required permissions to use certain cricket footage. The filmmakers further argued that more than 100 theatres had been booked and advance payments had already been made, making a last-minute delay difficult.

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The case raises important questions about personality rights and the use of famous sporting moments in films. Ganguly’s iconic shirtless celebration at Lord’s after India’s 2002 NatWest Series final victory remains one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket. While Ganguly has challenged the film’s use of elements linked to his identity and career, the court has not yet delivered a final decision on the dispute. For now, Doosra is set to release as scheduled, while the legal proceedings continue.

What happens next for Ganguly and the ‘Doosra’ release

The release of Doosra is set to go ahead as planned on October 23 after the Delhi High Court refused to stop its theatrical release. Sourav Ganguly’s plea against the film has not been finally decided, and the legal proceedings will continue. The court will examine the issues raised in the case while the film reaches cinemas as scheduled.

Ganguly has challenged the alleged use of his identity and famous cricketing moments for commercial purposes without proper authorisation. The case also involves Luv Films LLP, which holds the rights to produce a biographical film about his life, titled Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story. The court will need to consider the arguments from both sides, including the filmmakers’ claim that Doosra is not a biopic and that they obtained permission to use certain cricket footage.

The next stage of the case will be important for both Ganguly and the filmmakers. Ganguly is seeking protection for his personality and commercial rights, while the makers want to release their film without further delay. The court’s future observations may help clarify how personality rights apply when films use real sporting events and references to famous public figures. Until a final decision is made, the legal dispute remains unresolved.