Taapsee Pannu Gandhari in Controversy: The trailer of Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu's upcoming film 'Gandhari' was released some time ago. Along with this, this film is embroiled in a copyright dispute. Actually, screenwriter Kalyan Bandi has claimed that Netflix India and its content head Monica Shergill have stolen his story. He said that in the year 2019, he had written a story with the same name and sent it to Monica Shergill, which was rejected by her. Now they allege that a film with the same name and similar concept has been made. However, the makers have completely rejected the allegations.
Gandhari's story was sent to Netflix
According to the report of Mid-Day, screenwriter Kalyan Bandi had written a story named 'Gandhari' in the year 2019. He says that he had also registered this story with the Screenwriters Association. Whose story revolved around a mother who tries to save her daughter from the clutches of a child trafficking network.
Kalyan told that in April 2019, he had contacted Monica Shergill through LinkedIn. On his request, Kalyan sent an 8 page story and a 2 page synopsis. He says that in May 2019, Monica had rejected his story.
Kalyan Bandi got a big shock after the announcement of the film
According to Kalyan, when his story was rejected, he contacted another production house. In the year 2023, Baweja Studios had asked to make a film on his story. But in September 2024, Netflix India announced the film 'Gandhari' written by Kanika Dhillon. He says, when he got information about the name of the film and its concept, he was surprised.
Legal notice sent to Netflix
Kalyan Bandi sought advice from the Screenwriters Association regarding the matter. After this, in September 2025, he sent a legal notice to Netflix India. According to the report, in the notice he had asked for credit in the film along with a compensation of Rs 40 lakh. The writer claims that even after almost 11 months of sending the notice, he did not receive any response from Netflix.
Makers of 'Gandhari' termed the allegations wrong
On the other hand, the film's writer and producer Kanika Dhillon's production house 'Katha Pictures' has rejected the allegations of Kalyan Bandi. The production house says that 'Gandhari' is a completely original project and its story and screenplay has been written by Kanika Dhillon herself. Along with this, the makers have also appealed to the media and people not to accept the alleged false claims as true without verification.
'Gandhari' will be released on Netflix on September 3.
Taapsee Pannu starrer 'Gandhari' is going to release on Netflix on September 3. The allegations raised regarding its story before its release have intensified the discussion about the film. However, in this film Taapsee Pannu is playing the character of a woman named Bani. Who searches for her daughter Mishti. The story of the film shows a mother's restlessness and determination to find her daughter.
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