Taapsee Pannu’s upcoming Netflix thriller Gandhari has found itself at the centre of a copyright controversy just days before its scheduled premiere on September 3, 2026.
Writer Kalyan Bandi has alleged that the film shares similarities with a story he wrote and registered in 2019. The filmmakers, however, have rejected the allegations and insisted that Gandhari is an original project created by writer-producer Kanika Dhillon.
Why Is Gandhari Facing Copyright Claims?
Kalyan Bandi, an IIT Madras alumnus who currently works in the Central GST and Customs department, claims he developed a story called Gandhari in 2019.
According to his account, the story focused on a mother who undergoes a dramatic transformation while trying to rescue her child from a child-trafficking operation. He says the character was envisioned as a fierce, almost divine figure driven by her determination to protect her child.
Bandi claims he shared the story with Monika Shergill in 2019, when she was working with Voot. He reportedly sent an eight-page story and a two-page synopsis after initially contacting her through LinkedIn.
He says the concept was acknowledged but ultimately did not move forward because it did not suit the company’s commissioning plans at that time.
Writer Says He Registered the Story
After the initial pitching process, Bandi says he formally registered the story with the Screenwriters Association and continued working on the concept.
He later claims to have approached Baweja Studios in 2023, where discussions allegedly continued for several months. He also says he submitted the concept to JioHotstar.
The issue resurfaced for him when Netflix announced Gandhari in 2025.
Bandi says the title immediately stood out because it was the same name he had used for his own story. He then began comparing the publicly available details about the film with his earlier concept.
Legal Notice Was Issued
Bandi claims he sent a legal notice in September 2025, seeking around ₹40 lakh in compensation and credit for the alleged use of his idea.
However, he has said that money was not his main concern. According to his account, he primarily wanted recognition if his original concept had been used.
He further claims that the legal notice did not receive a response and that he eventually chose not to take the matter to court. The writer cited the financial burden and lengthy nature of legal proceedings as reasons for stepping back.
Importantly, there has been no reported court finding establishing that Gandhari copied Bandi’s story.
Kanika Dhillon’s Production House Rejects the Allegations
Kathha Pictures, the production house founded by Kanika Dhillon, has categorically denied the accusations.
The company has described the claims as false and maintained that Gandhari is an original story written and produced by Dhillon.
The makers have also urged media organisations and audiences to avoid presenting the allegations as proven facts, stating that the project was independently conceived and developed by Kanika Dhillon and Kathha Pictures.
What Is Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari About?
Directed by Devashish Makhija, Gandhari is set in the fictional town of Joypurra.
The story follows Bani, a mother whose life takes a difficult turn as she faces challenges that test her strength, determination and willingness to make sacrifices.
The film blends an emotional mother-child storyline with action and drama. Taapsee Pannu is expected to take on a physically demanding role, adding another action-oriented performance to her filmography.
The cast also features Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Jatin Sarna.
Taapsee Pannu and Kanika Dhillon’s Fourth Collaboration
Gandhari marks the fourth project featuring Taapsee Pannu and Kanika Dhillon.
The two have previously collaborated on Manmarziyaan, Haseen Dillruba and Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba. Their latest project brings them together again, this time for a story centred on motherhood, survival and action.
Despite the copyright controversy surrounding the project, Gandhari is currently scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3, 2026.
The dispute has so far remained a matter of competing claims, with Kalyan Bandi alleging similarities to his 2019 story while the filmmakers continue to maintain that the Netflix thriller is entirely original.
