The Bombay High Court recently suggested that writer-director Aditya Dhar and Santosh Kumar should work towards an amicable resolution regarding a defamation suit related to claims of plagiarism involving the film Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge. Judge Arif Doctor emphasized the importance of settling disputes like these without escalating them into lengthy legal battles.
The disagreement emerged when Santosh Kumar alleged that the script for Dhurandhar 2 was copied from his previous work, a claim that Dhar categorically denied, labeling it defamatory. In response, he turned to the High Court for help.
During the proceedings, Justice Doctor pointed out that if Kumar genuinely believes his intellectual property has been stolen, he should pursue civil remedies through the correct legal channels. However, the court advised against making public statements regarding these concerns.
The court further noted that disputes over authorship could be effectively handled through established legal procedures rather than through public discourse.
Kumar’s lawyer clarified that their main concern was about asserting authorship of the story. The court recognized Kumar’s right to make this claim but highlighted that such matters should be dealt with legally.
Aditya Dhar’s attorney argued for a more measured approach to allegations of plagiarism, underscoring the necessity of resolving such issues through proper legal means. Kumar’s counsel agreed to consider the suggestion of confining the matter to legal solutions.
Earlier, on April 8, the High Court had prohibited Santosh Kumar from making further public statements about the allegedly defamatory script, after Dhar sought an injunction and damages when Kumar did not respond to a legal notice dismissing the plagiarism accusations.
