Sourav Ganguly's Plea To Stop 'Doosra' Film Release Rejected by Delhi High Court
Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly's bid to halt the theatrical release of the film 'Doosra' was denied by the Delhi High Court on Thursday, October 22, 2026. This decision clears the way for the movie's scheduled premiere today, October 23, 2026.
In a significant development for the Indian film and sports fraternity, the Delhi High Court on Thursday, October 22, 2026, refused to grant an interim stay on the theatrical release of the film 'Doosra'. This decision comes after former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, along with production house Luv Films LLP, moved the court seeking to restrain the film's premiere, which is slated for today, October 23, 2026. Sourav Ganguly Biopic Blamed After Leicestershire Gets Hit With 27-Point Deduction and Fine Over Poor Pitch.
Justice Dinesh Bhatt, while hearing the urgent plea, explicitly stated that the court was not stopping the film's release, clarifying, “I have said no stay, so the film can go on.” The court has, however, scheduled further proceedings for Friday, October 23, 2026, to continue hearing the legal arguments surrounding the case.
The Legal Challenge Explained
Sourav Ganguly's petition primarily argued that 'Doosra' infringes upon his personality and commercial rights. The former skipper alleged that the film makes unauthorised commercial use of elements intrinsically linked to his identity and illustrious cricketing career. Specifically, the plea highlighted references to his captaincy of the Indian cricket team, the iconic 2002 NatWest Series final victory against England, and his famous shirtless celebration on the Lord's balcony following that historic win.
Co-petitioner Luv Films LLP, which holds exclusive contractual rights to produce an authorised biopic on Sourav Ganguly, titled 'Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story', also contended that 'Doosra' infringes on their agreements. Their authorised biopic, starring Rajkummar Rao, is reportedly scheduled for release on May 14, 2027. The petitioners sought an injunction against the film's release across all platforms and the circulation of any promotional material that allegedly exploits Ganguly's name, image, likeness, or iconic cricketing moments without due authorisation.
What is 'Doosra' About?
Directed by Abhinay Deo, 'Doosra' features Plabita Borthakur in the lead role, alongside Ankur Vikal, Samidha Guru, Tvisha Seema, and Krishna Gokani. The film's narrative is said to be built around the emotional legacy of India's 2002 NatWest Series victory, using Ganguly's iconic celebration as a powerful starting point. However, the filmmakers and their counsel argued in court that 'Doosra' is not a biopic of Sourav Ganguly but rather a story of a young girl named Tara, growing up in a conservative household in the 1990s, who draws inspiration from Ganguly's defiant act to challenge societal norms and assert her personal freedom.
'Doosra' Key Details:
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Director | Abhinay Deo |
| Cast | Plabita Borthakur (as Tara), Ankur Vikal, Samidha Guru, Tvisha Seema, Krishna Gokani |
| Release Date | October 23, 2026 (Theatrical) |
| Inspiration | Sourav Ganguly's 2002 NatWest Series celebration, exploring themes of personal freedom and challenging norms. |
| Producers | Masha Sajdeh, Rohan Sajdeh (Co-producer: Neeta Shah) |
| Writer | Agnello Oswin Dias (Story & Screenplay) |
| Music | Ram Sampat (Original Score) |
Implications and Future Steps
The Delhi High Court's refusal of an interim stay means that 'Doosra' will proceed with its scheduled theatrical release today, October 23, 2026, as planned. This decision, however, does not represent a final ruling on the merits of Ganguly's allegations or Luv Films' claims. The legal battle is set to continue with further hearings on Friday, October 23, 2026, raising important questions about personality rights and the commercial use of public figures' identities in creative works. Sourav Ganguly Reacts to 'Dada' Biography Poster as Rajkummar Rao Unveils First Look To Celebrate India Legend's Birthday.
The ongoing legal dispute underscores the increasing scrutiny on the portrayal of real-life personalities in cinema and the delicate balance between creative freedom and individual rights. The outcome of the continued hearings will be closely watched by both the entertainment industry and sports figures alike.
Sourav Ganguly's legal challenge to the film 'Doosra' has brought into focus the complex interplay between artistic expression and personality rights, with the Delhi High Court's decision allowing the film's release while the broader legal questions remain open for future deliberation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2026 05:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
