Taapsee Pannu’s upcoming Netflix film Gandhari has become the subject of a copyright dispute ahead of its scheduled release.
Writer Kalyan Bandi claims the film closely resembles a story he wrote several years ago.
According to his account, he created a story titled Gandhari in 2019.
The story follows a mother who takes on a fierce and almost goddess-like role while trying to save her child from a trafficking network.
Kalyan said he shared an eight-page story and synopsis with Monika Shergill in 2019. At the time, Shergill worked with Voot.
He said the project did not move forward because it reportedly did not fit the platform’s content plans.
Writer Says He Registered His Story
Kalyan later registered his story with the Screenwriters Association.
He also said he pitched the project to Baweja Studios in 2023 and later approached JioHotstar.
The controversy began after Netflix announced Gandhari in 2025.
Kalyan said the shared title and similarities in the story raised concerns about whether filmmakers had used his concept.
He also claimed that the announcement affected his discussions with other production companies.
Kalyan sent a legal notice in September 2025. He reportedly sought around Rs 40 lakh in the notice.
However, he later said that money was not his main objective.
“I don’t even want money,” he said. He claimed he only wanted acknowledgment if the idea came from his original work.
Kalyan said he received no response and later decided not to continue with legal action because of the potential cost of a long court battle.
Gandhari Makers Reject Copyright Allegations
Kanika Dhillon’s Kathha Pictures has strongly rejected the allegations.
The production company said the claims circulating on social media and in some publications were false.
Kathha Pictures said Gandhari is an original work written and produced by Kanika Dhillon.
The company also said its team developed the project independently.
The film is directed by Devashish Makhija.
Taapsee Pannu plays Bani, a mother who fights to protect her child.
The cast also includes Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee and Mita Vashisht.
Gandhari marks the fourth collaboration between Taapsee Pannu and Kanika Dhillon.
The copyright dispute has emerged only days before the film’s scheduled Netflix premiere on September 3.
For now, the filmmakers continue to reject the allegations, while Kalyan maintains that his earlier story shares important similarities with the upcoming film.
