Supreme Court Clears Sujoy Ghosh in Kahaani 2 Copyright Case

In a major victory for Bollywood director Sujoy Ghosh, the Supreme Court of India has quashed all proceedings against him in a long-standing copyright infringement case linked to his 2016 thriller 'Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Ki Kahani'. The decision brings to an end a legal battle that began nearly a decade ago, accused of plagiarizing a story pitched by writer Umesh Mehta.

The controversy erupted in 2018 when Mehta filed a complaint in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, claiming Ghosh had stolen the plot of his unpublished story 'Sabak', which he had narrated to the director in 2015 without permission. A local magistrate issued summons to Ghosh, prompting him to approach the Jharkhand High Court for relief. However, the high court dismissed his plea, observing prima facie evidence of infringement, forcing Ghosh to escalate the matter to the apex court.

Earlier interventions by the Supreme Court had provided temporary respite. In July 2024, it exempted Ghosh from personal appearance in the lower court and issued notices to the complainant. Now, in a final ruling, the top court has annulled the entire case, citing lack of merit in the allegations.

'Kahaani 2' starred Vidya Balan in a gripping role as a single mother unraveling her daughter's kidnapping mystery. The film, with a budget of around Rs 25 crore, grossed over Rs 45 crore worldwide, earning praise for Balan's powerhouse performance and the sequel's suspenseful narrative. The original 'Kahaani' had set high benchmarks, carried solely by Balan's shoulders.

This verdict underscores the challenges filmmakers face amid rising copyright disputes in Indian cinema. Ghosh, known for hits like 'Jaane Jaan', can now focus on future projects without this shadow. Legal experts view it as a precedent for protecting creative expressions from unsubstantiated claims, balancing artist rights with intellectual property laws.