Taapsee Pannu’s upcoming Netflix thriller Gandhari has landed in a copyright controversy days before its 3 September release, with writer Kalyan Bandi alleging that the film resembles a story he wrote and registered in 2019.
The film’s makers, however, have rejected the allegation, maintaining that Gandhari is an original story written by Kanika Dhillon.
According to 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.
His story, he says, centred on a mother who transforms into a fierce, almost goddess-like figure while attempting to rescue her child from a child-trafficking racket.
Bandi 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 initially contacted her through LinkedIn and later shared an eight-page story and a two-page synopsis.
According to Bandi, his material was acknowledged but he was eventually informed that the concept did not fit the company’s commissioning slate at the time.
He later registered the story with the Screenwriters Association and continued developing the project.
In 2023, he approached Baweja Studios, where discussions about the project allegedly continued for several months. He also says he submitted the concept to JioHotstar.
Bandi said the controversy began after Netflix announced Gandhari in 2025.
The title caught his attention, prompting him to compare the upcoming film with his earlier story.
He claimed the similarities, particularly the title and central concept, raised questions about whether his work had been used.
“Only I can connect the title to the concept because it was my creativity. How can it be credited to Kanika Dhillon?” he said.
Bandi also claimed that the announcement affected his discussions with production houses and resulted in professional and financial setbacks.
In September 2025, he sent a legal notice seeking around ₹40 lakh in compensation and credit for his work.
However, he said financial compensation was not his primary concern.
“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 said.
Bandi said there was no response to his legal notice and that the matter never reached court.
He eventually chose not to pursue the case further, citing the potential cost of a prolonged legal battle.
Kanika Dhillon’s production house, Kathha Pictures, has dismissed Bandi’s allegations as baseless.
The production house said in a statement that Gandhari is an original work written and produced by Dhillon and developed by Kathha Pictures.
The makers have also urged the media and public not to present the allegations as established facts, maintaining that the film was independently developed by Dhillon and her production house.
Set in the fictional town of Joypurra, Gandhari follows Bani, a mother whose unwavering devotion is tested by a series of extraordinary challenges.
The story explores resilience, courage, conviction and sacrifice, while also featuring extensive action sequences.
The film stars Taapsee Pannu in what has been described as one of her most physically demanding roles. Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Jatin Sarna also feature in the cast.
Written and produced by Kanika Dhillon and directed by Devashish Makhija, Gandhari marks Taapsee and Dhillon’s fourth collaboration after Manmarziyaan, Haseen Dillruba and Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba.
The film is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on 3 September.
