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The Screenwriters Association (SWA) has concluded its investigation into the copyright infringement allegations against actor-filmmaker Sayani Gupta regarding her debut directorial project, the short film Aasmani, determining that no copyright violation took place.
Aasmani, featuring veteran actor Revathy in the lead, alongside Daria Bedi and Abhay Kaul, revolves around a grandmother, her granddaughter, and their blue car.
The dispute arose after documentary filmmaker Vinita Negi filed a complaint with the SWA’s Dispute Settlement Committee (DSC), alleging copyright infringement and breach of confidence.
In an official statement detailing its findings, the SWA confirmed that its DSC examined the case comprehensively, appointing senior industry screenwriters to conduct an independent comparative analysis of both works under strict confidentiality.
"In accordance with the DSC’s established rules and procedures, senior writers from the industry were appointed as experts to undertake a comparative examination of the works and provide their expert opinion. The entire process was conducted under strict confidentiality. With regard to the allegation of copyright infringement, the experts appointed by the DSC were of the considered view that there was no copyright infringement,” the SWA statement read.
Addressing the second charge, the association noted, “As regards the allegation of breach of confidence, the DSC, after detailed examination and deliberation over all the material and evidence provided by both parties, was unable to arrive at a conclusive finding either way, whether a breach of confidence had occurred or not occurred.”
The SWA further stated that because the matter has now entered formal legal proceedings and remains sub judice, the committee is officially closing its internal case file in accordance with established protocol. "As per the DSC’s established protocol, since the matter is now before the Hon’ble Court and is sub judice, the DSC is closing the matter at its end."
Responding to the SWA’s findings, Gupta expressed relief over the clearance on copyright charges.
"As I had said earlier, truth will always prevail. I had respected the process and am grateful that the truth has come out. It always does. This has been the most harrowing experience of my life. But as my grandmother would often quote Tagore and say 'Tomar potaka jaare dao, bohibare dao shokoti'.. 'Whoever you give your flag to bear, you also give them the strength to bear it.' "
The complainant Vinita Negi, when contacted regarding the verdict, shared additional excerpts from SWA's communication to her, which outlined the committee's observations regarding the creative premises and communication history.
“The expert comparisons indicate that the principal common element between the Complainant’s and the Respondents’ works is the underlying idea concerning a woman’s relationship with her vintage car. On Breach of Confidence: The DSC notes that the Complainant shared her logline and trailer with the Respondents over WhatsApp, to which the Respondents have stated before the DSC that they did not access and viewed such materials," read an excerpt from the verdict shared by Negi.
"However, it can also not be stated with absolute certainty that the said material was not accessed by the respondents. The DSC is therefore unable to reach a conclusive finding on breach of confidence. The Complainant remains free to pursue this issue before an appropriate forum, including a court of competent jurisdiction," the excerpt added.