Is ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Copied? Filmmaker Santosh Kumar RS Claims Ranveer Singh’s Film Plagiarised His Script
Filmmaker Santosh Kumar RS has accused the makers of the blockbuster 'Dhurandhar 2' of plagiarizing a script he registered in 2023, claiming the film's narrative was lifted from his original story. Kumar alleges he pitched the concept to several major studios before it was adapted without his consent.
Filmmaker Santosh Kumar RS has accused the creators of the blockbuster hit Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge of script plagiarism, claiming the film's narrative was lifted from a story he wrote and registered in 2023. The allegations surfaced this week as the Aditya Dhar-directed spy thriller, starring Ranveer Singh, continues to shatter box office records, recently crossing the INR 900 crore mark in India. Kumar, who claims to have pitch documents and industry registration to back his case, has announced his intention to pursue legal action against the film's production team. Priyanka Chopra Reviews ‘Dost’ Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar 2’, Calls Film a Revelation in Every Way (View Post).
‘Dhurandhar 2’ Copied?
According to Santosh Kumar, the similarities between his original work and the final film are too significant to be coincidental. Speaking at a press conference, Kumar stated that he only realised the overlap after watching the movie in theatres."You all must have probably seen Dhurandhar 2. It is performing very well everywhere. After watching the film, I realized that it is my script and story," Kumar told reporters.
"I had written it with a lot of hard work in 2023. I had narrated it to many companies because I was told that if a film needs big actors, it must have the backing of a corporate organisation."The filmmaker revealed that he had specifically envisioned Aditya Roy Kapur for the lead role during his initial pitches to several major studios, including Sony Pictures, Zee Studios, T-Series, and Dharma Productions.
Sabtosh Kumar Backs His Claims
To support his claims, Kumar noted that his script was officially registered with the Screenwriters Association (SWA) in November 2023. He asserts that he possesses a trail of email exchanges, sketches, and documents that prove his story was shared with industry professionals long before Dhurandhar 2 went into production.
Kumar expressed frustration not just over the alleged theft, but over the thematic shift of the material. "I wrote this film for cinema and entertainment, but they turned it into political propaganda," he claimed. "This makes me feel hurt."
The controversy highlights a recurring issue for independent and regional writers in the Indian film industry. Kumar, who is originally from the Shivamogga district of Karnataka, noted that many aspiring filmmakers from smaller regions face significant obstacles when trying to protect their intellectual property in Mumbai. ‘Dhurandhar 2’: Did JioHotstar Give Us the Biggest SPOILER About Rakesh Bedi’s Jameel Jamali in Ranveer Singh Starrer?.
"What happened to me should not happen to anyone else," Kumar added, emphasising that his legal battle is intended to represent the struggles of many unrecognised writers in Bollywood.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 01, 2026 02:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).