Dhurandhar 2 Plagiarism Row: Aditya Dhar Issues Legal Notice

Top Summary

• What happened: Director Aditya Dhar sent a legal notice to Santosh Kumar RS, who alleges 'Dhurandhar 2' copied his script.
• Why it matters: The case highlights the ongoing debate about intellectual property rights in the Indian film industry.
• What changes: The legal battle could set a precedent for future plagiarism disputes in Bollywood.
• Who is affected: Aditya Dhar, Santosh Kumar RS, the production team of 'Dhurandhar 2,' and potentially writers across the industry.

'Dhurandhar 2' Faces Plagiarism Allegations

Aditya Dhar, director of the hit film 'Dhurandhar 2,' is facing allegations of plagiarism from writer Santosh Kumar RS. Kumar claims the film's story is a copy of his registered script, titled 'D-Saheb.'

Dhar has denied these allegations and has taken legal action against Kumar. The controversy has sparked intense discussions about originality and intellectual property within the film industry.

Santosh Kumar's Claims

Santosh Kumar RS alleges that 'Dhurandhar 2' borrows heavily from a script he registered in 2023. He claims he has proof from the Screenwriters Association (SWA) to support his allegations.

 

"They manipulated my project, my script, and exploited me. I have proof from the Screenwriters Association."

 

Kumar describes his story, 'D-Saheb,' as being about a young man whose family is attacked by criminals. The protagonist, son of an ex-army officer, seeks revenge, kills ten people, gets arrested, and then is sent to Pakistan as a RAW agent.

Aditya Dhar Responds with Legal Action

Aditya Dhar's legal team has issued a notice to Santosh Kumar, denying the plagiarism accusations. The notice demands that Kumar cease making false claims about 'Dhurandhar 2.'

A source stated that further legal action is being prepared against Kumar due to continued accusations. The source added that the story was an original creation by Aditya Dhar, who registered it with the Screenwriters Association in September 2023.

Kumar, however, claims he only received an email response, not a formal legal notice, from the production team.

Disputed Registration Dates

Santosh Kumar claims he registered his script with the SWA in November 2023. He alleges that Dhar's film only took the core elements of his story and added political messaging.

 

"Aditya Dhar is very clever; he took only the core elements and added political messaging,"

 

The HT City source says,

"Santosh's claims that Dhurandhar's story is stolen or infringes on his rights are entirely false."

 

Escalation of the Dispute

Santosh Kumar says he tried contacting Dhar directly, but instead contacted Jio Studios, who referred him to B62 Studios. He plans to file a case against them for alleged harassment.

The producers of 'Dhurandhar 2' have not publicly responded to the allegations.

Key Points of Contention

• Kumar claims 'Dhurandhar 2' plot was lifted from his 2023 script.
• He alleges key elements of the story closely resemble his work.
• Dhar's legal team challenges these claims, asserting originality.

What to Watch Next

The unfolding legal battle will likely attract significant attention, especially given the film's success. Further developments in the case will determine the next steps for both parties involved, potentially influencing future intellectual property disputes within the industry.