After Assi earlier this 12 months, Taapsee Pannu is returning with Netflix thriller Gandhari. After the announcement, the upcoming movie has run right into a copyright controversy simply days earlier than its September 3 launch. Author Kalyan Bandi claims the movie is much like a narrative he wrote and registered again in 2019. The makers, nonetheless, have denied the allegation, stating that the movie is an authentic story written by Kanika Dhillon.
What Kalyan Bandi claims
In accordance with a report in India At the moment, Kalyan Bandi, an IIT Madras alumnus who works as an Inspector with the Central GST and Customs division, claims he wrote a narrative titled Gandhari in 2019. He says the story centred on a mom who transforms right into a fierce, nearly goddess-like determine whereas attempting to avoid wasting her baby from a child-trafficking racket.
Kalyan claims he pitched the story to Monika Shergill in 2019, when she was related to Voot and is now a Vice President at Netflix. He says he first reached out to her on LinkedIn and later shared an eight-page story together with a two-page synopsis. In accordance with him, whereas the fabric was acknowledged, he was ultimately instructed that the idea didn’t match the corporate’s commissioning slate on the time.
He says he subsequently registered the story with the Screenwriters Affiliation and continued creating it. In 2023, Kalyan approached Baweja Studios, the place discussions across the undertaking allegedly continued for a number of months. He additionally says he submitted the idea to JioHotstar.
Why the Netflix announcement raised questions
Kalyan mentioned the controversy started after Netflix introduced Gandhari in 2025. The title caught his consideration, and he claimed he then began evaluating the upcoming movie with the story he had written a number of years earlier. He mentioned the similarities, notably the title, made him query whether or not his idea had been used. Talking concerning the title, he mentioned, “Solely I can join the title to the idea as a result of it was my creativity. How can or not it’s credited to Kanika Dhillon?”
He additionally claimed that the announcement had an influence on the conversations he was having with manufacturing homes and brought on him each skilled and monetary setbacks. In September 2025, he despatched a authorized discover looking for round ₹40 lakh in compensation, together with credit score for his work. However based on him, getting cash was by no means actually the purpose. He added, “I do not even need cash. Simply say thanks and acknowledge that it was my concept. I will be very comfortable if they’ll show to me that this isn’t my story.”
He added that there was no response to his authorized discover and the matter by no means went to court docket. He mentioned taking the case ahead would have meant spending a substantial sum of money on a prolonged authorized battle, one thing he couldn’t afford as a authorities worker. He ultimately determined to not pursue the matter additional.
Gandhari makers deny plagiarism allegations
Kanika Dhillon’s manufacturing home, Kathha Photos, has dismissed Bandi’s allegations, calling them baseless. The makers have reiterated that Gandhari is an authentic story and urged individuals to not deal with the claims as truth.
In its official assertion, the manufacturing home mentioned: “Our consideration has been drawn to allegations circulating on social media and in sure publications to the impact that our forthcoming movie Gandhari copies one other particular person’s idea and makes use of that particular person’s title. These allegations are false, and we deny them unequivocally. Gandhari is an authentic work, written and produced by Ms. Kanika Dhillon and developed by Kathha Photos. Its story and screenplay are Ms. Dhillon’s personal work”
The makers have additionally urged the media and public to chorus from presenting the allegations as verified, reiterating that the movie has been independently developed by Dhillon and Kathha Photos.
Concerning the movie
Set in opposition to the atmospheric backdrop of a fictitious city Joypurra, Gandhari is a narrative of unwavering perception, quiet resilience and unflinching braveness. At its coronary heart lies Bani, a mom whose devotion is examined at each flip, compelling her to confront unimaginable challenges with conviction and sacrifice. Marking considered one of Taapsee Pannu’s most bodily demanding roles but, the movie combines intensive motion with a deeply human core.
Written and produced by Kanika Dhillon and directed by Devashish Makhija, Gandhari brings collectively an acclaimed ensemble forged that includes Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Jatin Sarna.
Gandhari additionally marks Taapsee and Kanika Dhillon’s fourth collaboration after Manmarziyaan, Haseen Dillruba and Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba. The movie is ready to premiere on Netflix on September 3.