Netflix addresses Gandhari plagiarism allegations before release

Netflix has finally addressed the plagiarism controversy surrounding its upcoming film Gandhari, following allegations by writer Kalyan Bandi that the project bears similarities to an original story he claims to have developed several years ago.

The controversy gained attention after Bandi alleged that he had written a story titled Gandhari in 2019. According to the writer, his concept revolved around a mother who transforms into a powerful, almost divine figure while trying to rescue her child from a human trafficking network. He claimed that he later pitched the idea to Monika Shergill, who was associated with Voot at the time and is now Netflix India’s Vice President of Content.

Bandi said he submitted an eight-page document containing his story and synopsis but was informed that the project did not fit the platform’s content slate. However, after Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari was announced in 2025, he raised concerns over what he believed were similarities between his concept and the upcoming film.

The writer subsequently sent a legal notice seeking Rs 40 lakh in compensation. However, Bandi has maintained that financial compensation was never his primary objective. Instead, he has repeatedly said that he wants his contribution to be acknowledged if his original idea was used.

Netflix has now responded to the allegations through Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Director of Original Films at Netflix India. Speaking at the film’s trailer launch in Mumbai, she said the streaming platform takes questions surrounding artistic attribution seriously.

She explained that Netflix receives numerous pitches and maintained that the story presented by Bandi is different from the film created by writer Kanika Dhillon and actress Taapsee Pannu. She also urged audiences to watch the movie before drawing conclusions about the allegations.

She further emphasized Netflix’s commitment to supporting original storytelling and giving recognition to writers regardless of their previous experience in the industry. According to her, the platform values originality whether a storyteller has already worked on several films or is making their first project.

Meanwhile, Dhillon’s production company, Kathha Pictures, has strongly rejected the plagiarism allegations. The production house stated that the claims are false and unequivocally denied them, maintaining that Gandhari is an original project written and produced by Dhillon and developed under Kathha Pictures.

The controversy comes shortly before the film’s release, placing additional attention on the project as audiences await its arrival on the streaming platform.

Directed by Devashish Makhija, Gandhari features Taapsee Pannu in the lead role and also stars Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Jatin Sarna. The film is expected to explore themes of motherhood, revenge and the lengths a parent may go to protect a child.

Despite the ongoing dispute, Netflix and the filmmakers have maintained that the film is an original work. With the allegations now publicly addressed by the streaming platform, viewers will have the opportunity to watch Gandhari themselves and assess the story when it premieres on Netflix on September 3.