Actor-turned-filmmaker Sayani Gupta has filed a ₹9-crore defamation suit against filmmaker Vinita Negi, following a copyright dispute over Gupta’s directorial debut short film Aasmani.
The dispute stems from Negi’s complaint, filed with the Indian Screenwriters Association (SWA) in April, that the short film directed by Gupta borrows heavily from her unfinished documentary Prabha. Both projects reportedly feature an elderly woman and her relationship with a vintage car. Negi, an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), has accused Gupta of copyright infringement and breach of trust.
In her suit, Gupta has dismissed the allegations as false and unwarranted, seeking an injunction directing platforms Meta, Reddit and Deccan Chronicle to remove posts related to the dispute.
According to Bar and Bench, Gupta’s plea argues that copyright law protects original expression, not abstract ideas. “The mere presence of an elderly woman, a car, a driver or any other generic element in a creative work does not confer upon Negi a monopoly over such ideas or concepts,” the suit stated.
It further argued that Neg had allegedly circulated a 'Statement of Support' on WhatsApp and social media, garnering over 250 signatures from the film fraternity, despite pending proceedings with the SWA.
Gupta’s counsel held that the campaign caused her professional harm, including the abrupt withdrawal of Aasmani from the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand. Gupta has also sought an unconditional apology from Negi and a public retraction of her claims.
Sayani Gupta is known for her roles in the acclaimed series Delhi Crime and the film Article 15. She was mostly recently seen in the Prime Video crime drama series Glory. Aasmani, Gupta’s debut as a director, had its world premiere at WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival. It stars veteran actor Revathy in the lead role.
Gupta is also set to make her US feature film debut with Arya, written and directed by Neil Tuli.