After Assi earlier this year, Taapsee Pannu is returning with Netflix thriller Gandhari. After the announcement, the upcoming film has run into a copyright controversy just days before its September 3 release. Writer Kalyan Bandi claims the film is similar to a story he wrote and registered back in 2019. The makers, however, have denied the allegation, stating that the film is an original story written by Kanika Dhillon.
What Kalyan Bandi claims
According to a report in India Today, Kalyan Bandi, an IIT Madras alumnus who works as an Inspector with the Central GST and Customs department, claims he wrote a story titled Gandhari in 2019. He says the story centred on a mother who transforms into a fierce, almost goddess-like figure while trying to save her child from a child-trafficking racket.
Kalyan claims he pitched the story to Monika Shergill in 2019, when she was associated with Voot and is now a Vice President at Netflix. He says he first reached out to her on LinkedIn and later shared an eight-page story along with a two-page synopsis. According to him, while the material was acknowledged, he was eventually told that the concept did not fit the company’s commissioning slate at the time.
He says he subsequently registered the story with the Screenwriters Association and continued developing it. In 2023, Kalyan approached Baweja Studios, where discussions around the project allegedly continued for several months. He also says he submitted the concept to JioHotstar.
Why the Netflix announcement raised questions
Kalyan said the controversy began after Netflix announced Gandhari in 2025. The title caught his attention, and he claimed he then started comparing the upcoming film with the story he had written several years earlier. He said the similarities, particularly the title, made him question whether his concept had been used. Speaking about the title, he said, “Only I can connect the title to the concept because it was my creativity. How can it be credited to Kanika Dhillon?”
He also claimed that the announcement had an impact on the conversations he was having with production houses and caused him both professional and financial setbacks. In September 2025, he sent a legal notice seeking around ₹40 lakh in compensation, along with credit for his work. But according to him, getting money was never really the point. He added, “I don’t even want money. Just say thank you and acknowledge that it was my idea. I’ll be very happy if they can prove to me that this is not my story.”
He added that there was no response to his legal notice and the matter never went to court. He said taking the case forward would have meant spending a considerable amount of money on a lengthy legal battle, something he could not afford as a government employee. He eventually decided not to pursue the matter further.
Gandhari makers deny plagiarism allegations
Kanika Dhillon’s production house, Kathha Pictures, has dismissed Bandi’s allegations, calling them baseless. The makers have reiterated that Gandhari is an original story and urged people not to treat the claims as fact.
In its official statement, the production house said: “Our attention has been drawn to allegations circulating on social media and in certain publications to the effect that our forthcoming film Gandhari copies another person’s concept and uses that person’s title. These allegations are false, and we deny them unequivocally. Gandhari is an original work, written and produced by Ms. Kanika Dhillon and developed by Kathha Pictures. Its story and screenplay are Ms. Dhillon’s own work”
The makers have also urged the media and public to refrain from presenting the allegations as verified, reiterating that the film has been independently developed by Dhillon and Kathha Pictures.
About the film
Set against the atmospheric backdrop of a fictitious town Joypurra, Gandhari is a story of unwavering belief, quiet resilience and unflinching courage. At its heart lies Bani, a mother whose devotion is tested at every turn, compelling her to confront unimaginable challenges with conviction and sacrifice. Marking one of Taapsee Pannu’s most physically demanding roles yet, the film combines extensive action with a deeply human core.
Written and produced by Kanika Dhillon and directed by Devashish Makhija, Gandhari brings together an acclaimed ensemble cast featuring Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Jatin Sarna.
Gandhari also marks Taapsee and Kanika Dhillon’s fourth collaboration after Manmarziyaan, Haseen Dillruba and Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba. The film is set to premiere on Netflix on September 3.
