Delhi High Court rules for Sourav Ganguly in 'Doosra' personality rights case

In a landmark decision regarding celebrity identity and public legacy, the Delhi High Court has ruled in favour of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and production house Luv Films in their lawsuit against the makers of the upcoming film Doosra. The Court determined that the project infringed upon Ganguly’s personality and publicity rights, ordering the filmmakers to deposit Rs 2 crore and restricting its release across OTT and other platforms.

Mandatory disclaimers ordered due to persona infringement

The High Court noted that key elements of Sourav Ganguly’s persona and life events are deeply intertwined with the narrative of Doosra, making it unfeasible to edit out specific sections without altering the film entirely.

To address this, the bench directed the production banner, Ramesh Deo Productions Private Limited, to insert prominent disclaimers in both Hindi and English at the beginning and end of the movie. These disclaimers must explicitly inform audiences that Ganguly did not grant consent for the depiction or commercial use of his persona, and that the film holds no official association with or authorisation from the cricketer.

Setting legal precedent for personality rights

The ruling marks a significant legal milestone in protecting the commercial autonomy, personal brand value, and privacy rights of public figures against unauthorized exploitation in media and cinema. By establishing financial penalties and mandatory disclosures, the decision reinforces stricter boundaries for biographical and inspired storytelling.

Official biopic status

Meanwhile, the authorised biographical film Dada - The Sourav Ganguly Story continues under official production. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg under Luv Films, the official biopic is scheduled for a theatrical release on May 14, 2027.