New Delhi, 23 October (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the makers of the film ‘Doosra’, seeking their response to a petition filed by former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly alleging infringement of his personality rights. A vacation bench of Justice Vinod Kumar observed that a decision on granting any interim relief against the film could be taken only after the respondents had filed their replies.

The court also directed the filmmakers to arrange a screening of the movie, which was released in theatres on Friday. As the High Court is currently closed for the Dussehra holidays, the matter was heard by the vacation bench.

The High Court issued summons to the film’s producers, director and distributor in the lawsuit filed jointly by Ganguly and Luv Films LLP. The production house is making an authorised biopic on the former cricketer.

In their petition, Ganguly and Luv Films have sought a stay on the release of ‘Doosra’, citing events from his cricketing career, particularly his leadership in the final of the NatWest cricket series and his iconic shirtless celebration at Lord’s following India’s victory.

The petition alleges the unauthorised commercial exploitation of Ganguly’s personality rights and a violation of the production house’s exclusive contractual rights relating to the proposed biopic.

The petitioners have sought an injunction against the film’s theatrical, digital and other releases, as well as the circulation of promotional material that allegedly uses Ganguly’s name, image, likeness and iconic cricketing moments without his permission.

The matter concerns the extent to which a film can commercially draw upon a public figure’s identity and celebrated moments from his career, particularly when a separate biographical project is being developed under an exclusive agreement. The court will consider the petition further after receiving the respondents’ replies.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar