Delhi HC refuses to stay release of ‘Doosra’ despite Sourav Ganguly’s plea over personality rights

Delhi High Court refuses to stay release of ‘Doosra’ despite Sourav Ganguly’s plea over personality rights, hearing to continue on Friday

The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to stay the release of the film ‘Doosra’, which has been challenged by former India captain Sourav Ganguly over alleged violation of his personality and commercial rights.

The film is set to reach theatres on Friday, and the court said the hearing on the former cricketer's plea will continue that day. Let's learn more about it in detail.

What Sourav Ganguly has alleged

According to the ANI report, Sourav Ganguly has told the High Court that the film uses references linked to his identity and cricketing career in a way that infringes his personality and commercial rights. His plea mentions his captaincy of the Indian team, the historic 2002 NatWest Series final against England and his famous shirtless celebration on the Lord’s balcony after India’s win.The former captain has asked for legal protection against what he calls unauthorised commercial use of aspects of his personality through the film.

Larger questions before the court

The case raises questions about how far filmmakers can use the lives, achievements and well-known moments of prominent sportspersons in their stories, and when such references can lead to claims of personality rights violation.

Sourav Ganguly's Lord’s moment

Sourav Ganguly’s shirtless celebration at Lord’s, after India chased down England’s target in the 2002 NatWest Series final, remains one of the most lasting images in Indian cricket.

The win came under his captaincy and is widely remembered for its dramatic finish.

Rise in personality rights cases

Indian courts have seen a growing number of such disputes, with public figures seeking to protect their names, images, likenesses and other features of their identity from alleged unauthorised commercial use.For now, the film’s release date stays unchanged, as the legal challenge is yet to be finally decided.