Just a day before its highly anticipated theatrical release, Abhinay Deo’s socio-sports drama Doosra: India’s Other Freedom Struggle has cleared a massive legal hurdle. On Thursday, October 22, 2026, the Delhi High Court refused to stay the release of the film, which was legally challenged by former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and production house Luv Films LLP.
The petitioners had approached the court seeking an immediate injunction against the film’s release, alleging the unauthorized commercial exploitation of Ganguly’s personality rights. However, the court has given the green light for the film to hit theaters as scheduled on Friday, October 23.
Here is a complete breakdown of the legal dispute, the High Court’s observations, and what the film Doosra is actually about!
The Legal Dispute Over Personality Rights
The urgent suit was filed jointly by Sourav Ganguly and Luv Films LLP. Luv Films currently holds the exclusive contractual rights to produce the authorized, official biopic of the legendary cricketer.
The petitioners argued that Doosra heavily infringes upon Ganguly’s personality and commercial rights by unauthorizedly drawing on specific, iconic elements associated with his identity and cricketing career. The plea specifically referred to the film’s usage of India’s historic 2002 NatWest Series final victory over England and Ganguly’s famous shirtless celebration on the Lord’s balcony.
The plaintiffs claimed that utilizing Ganguly’s name, image, likeness, and these iconic moments without permission undermines the commercial exclusivity acquired by Luv Films and prejudices the market positioning of the upcoming official biopic. They sought a stay on the film’s theatrical and digital release, as well as an injunction against promotional materials.
Delhi High Court Denies The Stay
During the urgent hearing on Thursday, a single-judge bench of Justice Dinesh Bhatt heard the arguments but declined to issue an immediate stay order.
Noting the late timing of the petition just a day before the scheduled release, Justice Bhatt orally observed, “It is due for release tomorrow (Friday). Balance of convenience prima facie does not favour you. You may have a valuable right. (But) We are not stopping the film today.”
Making the court’s position clear, the judge added, “I am simply keeping it for tomorrow. No stay… I have said no stay, so the film can go on.”
While the court refused to halt the release, it is important to note that this is not a final ruling on Ganguly’s allegations of personality rights violations. The legal challenge remains active, and the court has listed the matter for a further hearing on Friday.
What is ‘Doosra’ About?
Directed by Abhinay Deo (Delhi Belly, Blackmail) and starring Plabita Borthakur, Ankur Vikal, and Samidha Guru, Doosra is not a traditional sports biopic.
Instead, the film uses the emotional legacy of the 2002 NatWest Series victory and Ganguly’s defiant Lord’s celebration as a metaphorical starting point for a fictional story. It follows a young teenage girl from a conservative Indian town who, deeply inspired by Dada’s fearless rebellion against the British establishment, finds the courage to challenge societal expectations and fight for her own personal freedom.
Interestingly, the film has also been in the news for its censorship battles. Director Abhinay Deo recently revealed that he chose to accept an ‘A’ (Adult) certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) without any cuts, rather than agreeing to the board’s demands to remove specific scenes—including a brief nudity shot in a magazine and a reference to the Babri Masjid—to secure a ‘U/A’ rating.
With the legal clearance now secured, Doosra is all set to premiere in cinemas nationwide tomorrow!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Sourav Ganguly want to stop the release of the movie ‘Doosra’?
Sourav Ganguly and Luv Films LLP approached the Delhi High Court to halt the film’s release, alleging that it unauthorizedly exploited Ganguly’s identity, likeness, and the iconic 2002 Lord’s balcony celebration, thereby infringing on his personality rights and the exclusive rights for his upcoming official biopic.
What did the Delhi High Court rule regarding the movie ‘Doosra’?
On October 22, 2026, the Delhi High Court refused to issue a stay on the film’s release, stating that the balance of convenience did not favor the petitioners just a day before the premiere. The film has been allowed to release in theaters as scheduled.
When is ‘Doosra’ releasing in theaters?
Doosra: India’s Other Freedom Struggle is scheduled for a theatrical release on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Who directed the movie ‘Doosra’?
The socio-sports drama is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Abhinay Deo and stars Plabita Borthakur, Ankur Vikal, and Samidha Guru.
