Taapsee Pannu film faces plagiarism row over story rights

A screenwriter has raised allegations that a forthcoming film featuring actress Taapsee Pannu incorporates a story concept to which he holds exclusive rights, sparking a copyright dispute in Indian cinema. The writer, identified as Kalyan Bandi, contends that the film's narrative centered on Gandhari—a prominent figure in Hindu mythology—draws directly from material he has been developing for an extended period. Bandi has asserted that he holds the copyright to the story and has petitioned for acknowledgment through formal screen credits on the production. In an exclusive conversation with a major news outlet, Bandi detailed his grievances regarding the film project, elaborating on his years of effort in conceptualizing and developing the Gandhari-based narrative. The dispute highlights ongoing concerns within the Indian film industry regarding intellectual property rights and the attribution of creative work, particularly in projects adapted from literary or original screenplay material. As the matter remains unresolved, it underscores the need for clearer mechanisms governing rights clearance in film production.