Sayani Gupta has reason to celebrate as her directorial debut, Aasmani, has been cleared of copyright infringement allegations by the Screenwriters Association’s Dispute Settlement Committee (DSC). The controversy arose when accusations were made against Gupta and editor Paramita Ghosh, claiming that Aasmani resembled Prabha, an incomplete documentary.
In its review, the DSC assessed submissions from both parties and conducted expert comparisons. They concluded that while both films may share a similar concept, their storytelling approaches, character development, and overall narratives were notably different.
The DSC emphasized that copyright law protects how an idea is expressed, not the idea itself. They also noted that the complainant’s project is a documentary focused on the widely known life of a public figure.
Additionally, the committee mentioned an ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by Gupta against the complainant, which has reportedly seen favorable rulings for Gupta in court. Because the issues related to the defamation case intersect with the claims in the DSC complaint, that matter is currently sub judice, halting any further action from the DSC for the time being.
With the DSC proceedings concluded, the committee has closed the case, allowing both parties to retain their legal rights and options.
This positive development comes as Aasmani continues its journey through film festivals worldwide. The resolution of this copyright complaint allows Gupta to focus fully on the film’s successes at these events.
Expressing her relief about the decision, Gupta shared, “As I had said earlier, truth will always prevail. I respected the process and am grateful that the truth has emerged. This has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life. My grandmother used to quote Tagore, saying, ‘whoever you give your flag to bear, you also give them the strength to bear it.’”
