Bombay High Court Dismisses Copyright Claim Against Dream Girl 2
The Bombay High Court has dismissed a copyright infringement case against Balaji Telefilms regarding its 2023 comedy, Dream Girl 2. The court concluded that the film’s storyline is different from the work of the complainant, labeling the copyright claim as “far-fetched.”
Writer Ashim Kumar Bagchi filed the case, asserting that the film, featuring Ayushmann Khurrana, was based on his original script titled Kal Kisne Dekha, which he later re-registered as The Show Must Go On. Bagchi claimed that his story, a comedy about a man impersonating a woman and the humorous situations that arise, had been shared privately with one of the credited writers years ago. He argued that parts of his work had been used without consent.
However, the court noted that Bagchi was essentially trying to claim ownership over common comedic ideas, such as mistaken identity, which are not protected under copyright law. The judges found that these elements are “stock” and “unoriginal,” leading to the dismissal of the case. Bagchi was ordered to pay costs of Rs 1 lakh each to Balaji Telefilms and another party involved.
Dream Girl 2, directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa, is the sequel to the successful 2019 film Dream Girl. In this latest installment, Khurrana reprises his role as Karam, who again takes on the female identity of ‘Pooja,’ leading to a series of funny and romantic misunderstandings. The film features Ananya Panday, Paresh Rawal, Vijay Raaz, and Rajpal Yadav, and has been well-received at the box office, solidifying its status as a beloved comedy franchise.
