'Dusra' to Release as Delhi High Court Rejects Ganguly Plea

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been dealt a blow after the Delhi High Court refused to put on hold the release of the film 'Dusra'. Ganguly had asked the court to stop the film, which is slated to hit screens on Friday, but the court did not agree to block it.

Ganguly's case is that the film has used his leadership, the 2002 NatWest series final and his shirt-off celebration at Lord's without authorisation, thereby affecting his personality and commercial rights. He has moved the High Court to protect those rights.

While hearing the plea, Justice Dinesh Bhatt said the balance of convenience appeared to lie with the filmmakers. The film reportedly tells the story of a middle-class girl from Rajasthan who takes inspiration from some sporting events linked to Ganguly.

"The film is releasing on Friday and, prima facie, the balance of convenience does not seem to be in your favour," the bench told the petitioner. "You may have some significant rights, but for now we will not stop the release or screening of the film." The court listed the matter for hearing again on Friday.

The lawyer representing the filmmakers said 'Dusra' is not a biopic. He added that the necessary permissions had already been taken to use certain video clips connected to the petitioner.

Ganguly's lawyer, however, maintained that the film could infringe his client's personality rights, as no licence or approval was obtained from him. He also said a biopic on Ganguly's life is currently being made and that the film is being promoted in his name.

Arguing for the makers, the counsel contended that a player cannot assert personality rights over video clips from the 2002 NatWest ODI series. He also submitted that the petitioners had not yet watched the film and that their concerns were speculative.