Netflix has lastly reacted to the continuing controversy round its upcoming movie, Gandhari. Days after a author accused the Netflix India govt Monika Shergill of ‘stealing’ his authentic idea to make this Taapsee Pannu-starrer, Netflix India’s Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh stated that the pitch was ‘very totally different’ from Gandhari.
Starring Taapsee Pannu, Gandhari has been written and produced by Kanika Dhillon. Days earlier than its trailer was to be launched, author Kalyan Bandi claimed that the movie was ‘stolen’ from his idea. Bandi, an IIT Madras alumnus who works as an Inspector with the Central GST and Customs division, claims he wrote a narrative titled Gandhari in 2019. He says the story centred on a mom who transforms right into a fierce, nearly goddess-like determine whereas making an attempt to avoid wasting her youngster from a child-trafficking racket.
On Tuesday, on the movie’s trailer launch in Mumbai, Ruchika Kapoor Sheikh, Director, Unique Movies, Netflix India, was requested a questions on Bandi’s claims. She responded, “We take inventive attribution very significantly. We’re a service that obtain a number of pitches, and the pitch in query may be very totally different from Kanika Dhillon and Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari. I will not make every other assumptions. Please watch the movie. You have got watched the trailer.”
Ruchikaa added that the streaming service is ‘dedicated’ to originality: “We’re at all times dedicated to the originality of our storytellers, whether or not somebody has written 5 or 6 movies or whether it is there first movie. At Netflix, we’re very clear on that.”
What are Kalyan Bandi’s claims
Kalyan Bandi has claimed that he wrote the story of the movie in 2019 and pitched it to Monika Shergill in 2019, when she was related to Voot. Monika is now Vice President of Content material at Netflix India. He says he first reached out to her on LinkedIn and later shared an eight-page story together with a two-page synopsis. In accordance with him, whereas the fabric was acknowledged, he was ultimately informed that the idea didn’t match the corporate’s commissioning slate on the time.
In September 2025, after coming throughout the announcement of Gandhari, he despatched a authorized discover searching for round ₹40 lakh in compensation, together with credit score for his work. However based on him, getting cash was by no means actually the purpose. He added, “I do not even need cash. Simply say thanks and acknowledge that it was my concept. I will be very comfortable if they will show to me that this isn’t my story.”
Kanika Dhillon denies allegations
Kanika Dhillon, who’s credited because the movie’s author, has denied Kalyan Bandi’s allegations. Kanika Dhillon’s manufacturing home, Kathha Photos, stated in an official assertion: “Our consideration has been drawn to allegations circulating on social media and in sure publications to the impact that our forthcoming movie Gandhari copies one other individual’s idea and makes use of that individual’s title. These allegations are false, and we deny them unequivocally. Gandhari is an authentic work, written and produced by Ms. Kanika Dhillon and developed by Kathha Photos. Its story and screenplay are Ms. Dhillon’s personal work.” The makers have additionally urged the media and public to chorus from presenting the allegations as verified, reiterating that the movie has been independently developed by Dhillon and Kathha Photos.
All about Gandhari
Set in opposition to the atmospheric backdrop of a fictitious city Joypurra, Gandhari is a Bani, a mom whose devotion is examined at each flip, compelling her to confront unimaginable challenges with conviction and sacrifice. Written and produced by Kanika Dhillon and directed by Devashish Makhija, Gandhari brings collectively an acclaimed ensemble forged that includes Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Jatin Sarna. The movie is about to premiere on Netflix on September 3.
