Delhi High Court denies to halt Doosra release despite Sourav Ganguly's plea

The Delhi High Court refused to stay Doosra's release after a plea by Sourav Ganguly and Luv Films. The dispute raises claims involving personality rights and exclusive rights over Ganguly's proposed biopic.

In Short

• Delhi High Court refused to stay release of Doosra film challenged by Sourav Ganguly
• Court clarified that the film could release on Friday
• Ganguly alleged unauthorised use of his personality and cricketing moments

The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to stay the theatrical release of Doosra, the film challenged by former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly over infringement of his personality rights. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on Friday, and the court clarified that it had not restrained its release.

As per Bar and Bench, Justice Dinesh Bhatt said the matter would be heard further on Friday. Making its position clear, the court said, “I have said no stay, so the film can go on.”

Ganguly and production house Luv Films LLP had approached the High Court seeking to restrain the film’s release, alleging unauthorised commercial exploitation of the former cricketer’s identity and infringement of the production house’s exclusive contractual rights over his proposed biopic.

The petitioners have sought an injunction against the film’s theatrical, digital and other releases, as well as the circulation of promotional material allegedly using Ganguly’s name, image, likeness and iconic cricketing moments without authorisation.

Why has Sourav Ganguly challenged Doosra?

Ganguly’s plea centres on references to significant moments from his cricketing career, particularly his captaincy during the 2002 NatWest Series final against England and his iconic shirtless celebration from the Lord’s balcony after India’s victory.

The dramatic win remains one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket, with Ganguly’s celebration becoming an enduring image associated with his leadership and the team’s triumph.

The former India captain has argued that the use of such references in the film amounts to the unauthorised commercial exploitation of aspects of his personality. Luv Films has separately raised concerns over its claimed exclusive contractual rights relating to Ganguly’s proposed biopic.

The High Court’s decision not to grant an interim stay means Doosra can proceed with its scheduled theatrical release for now. However, the legal dispute remains unresolved, with the hearing on Ganguly and Luv Films’ plea set to continue on Friday.

According to the suit, Ganguly entered into an agreement with Luv Films on August 5, 2021, granting the production house exclusive rights to develop, produce and commercially exploit audiovisual content based on his life and cricketing career, including a biographical film.

The suit claimed that Luv Films has made substantial investments in the authorised biopic, titled Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story, which is scheduled to release on May 14, 2027.

The petition further alleges that the trailer and promotional campaign for Doosra, launched on October 12, prominently feature references to Ganguly’s leadership of the Indian cricket team and its historic victory in the 2002 NatWest Series final at Lord’s. These include his iconic shirtless celebration on the Lord’s balcony.

Ganguly and Luv Films contend that these references are being used to generate commercial interest by capitalising on the former cricketer’s identity and reputation. They have also argued that the use of such moments could create the impression that Ganguly is associated with or has endorsed Doosra.

The suit also refers to an interview given by Doosra director Abhinay Deo on October 13, in which he discussed how the 2002 NatWest final and milestones from Ganguly’s career influenced the film’s fictional character, Tara.

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