Actress Sayani Gupta has welcomed the Screenwriters Association’s Dispute Settlement Committee (DSC) decision clearing her directorial debut Aasmani of allegations of copyright infringement, saying that “truth will always prevail”.
The complaint against Gupta and editor Paramita Ghosh had alleged similarities between Aasmani and Prabha, an unfinished documentary. After examining submissions from both sides and independent expert comparisons, the DSC concluded that the two works shared only an underlying idea, while their storytelling, character development, conflict and story arcs were different.
The committee noted that copyright law protects the expression of an idea rather than the idea itself, particularly in a case where the complainant’s work is a documentary based on the publicly known life of a real person.
Reacting to the decision, Gupta said she had respected the process and was grateful that the truth had emerged.
“As I had said earlier, truth will always prevail. I had respected the process and was grateful that the truth has come out. It always does. This has been the most harrowing experience of my life,” she said.
Quoting a line from Rabindranath Tagore that her grandmother often cited, Gupta added: “Tomar potaka jaare dao, bohibare dao shokoti” — “Whoever you give your flag to bear, you also give them the strength to bear it.”
The DSC also noted that Gupta has filed a separate defamation suit against the complainant, in which the court has ruled in her favour. Since issues in that case overlap with the DSC proceedings, the matter is sub judice and the DSC said it could not adjudicate further.
The proceedings have consequently been concluded and the complaint closed at the Screenwriters Association, without prejudice to the legal rights and remedies available to either party.
The decision provides relief to Gupta as the dispute had overshadowed Aasmani, which had otherwise enjoyed a successful run on the international festival circuit.
