Taapsee Pannu is all set to return to the action-thriller space with Gandhari, a new Netflix film that is scheduled to premiere on September 3, 2026. However, days before its release, the film has become the subject of a copyright dispute after writer Kalyan Bandi alleged that its premise resembles a story he wrote and registered several years ago.
The makers of Gandhari, led by writer-producer Kanika Dhillon and Kathha Pictures, have rejected the allegations and maintained that the film is an original creation.
Writer Kalyan Bandi Claims Gandhari Resembles His 2019 Story
According to reports, Kalyan Bandi, an IIT Madras alumnus who works with the Central GST and Customs department, says he developed a story titled Gandhari in 2019.
Bandi claims his story revolved around a mother who becomes a powerful and almost goddess-like figure while attempting to rescue her child from a child-trafficking network. He says he had shared the concept with Monika Shergill in 2019, when she was associated with Voot.
According to Bandi, he initially contacted Shergill through LinkedIn before sending an eight-page story and a two-page synopsis. He says the material was acknowledged but the project was eventually not taken forward because it did not fit the company’s commissioning plans at the time.
He later registered the story with the Screenwriters Association and continued developing the idea.
Bandi Says He Approached Multiple Production Houses
The writer claims that he continued pitching the project after registering his story. In 2023, he says he approached Baweja Studios, where discussions about the project allegedly continued for several months.
He also claims to have submitted the concept to JioHotstar.
The controversy resurfaced after Netflix announced Gandhari in 2025. Bandi says the title immediately caught his attention, prompting him to compare the announced project with the story he had developed earlier.
He believes the similarities between the title and the central concept raised questions about whether his idea had been used.
Legal Notice Was Sent in 2025
Bandi says he sent a legal notice in September 2025, seeking approximately ₹40 lakh in compensation as well as credit for his work.
However, he says financial compensation was not his primary objective. According to him, he mainly wanted acknowledgment if his idea had influenced the film.
Bandi also stated that he did not take the matter to court after receiving no response to the legal notice. He cited the potential cost and length of a legal battle as major reasons for not pursuing the case further.
Gandhari Makers Deny Copyright Allegations
Kathha Pictures, Kanika Dhillon’s production house, has strongly rejected the plagiarism and copyright claims.
The production house said the allegations circulating on social media and in media reports were false and maintained that Gandhari is an original work written and produced by Kanika Dhillon.
The makers have also urged the public and media not to treat the allegations as established facts, stressing that the film was independently developed by Dhillon and Kathha Pictures.
As of now, there has been no reported court ruling establishing that Gandhari copied Bandi’s story.
What Is Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari About?
Set in the fictional town of Joypurra, Gandhari follows Bani, a mother whose determination and courage are tested by a series of extraordinary circumstances.
The film focuses on motherhood, resilience, sacrifice and a woman’s determination to protect what matters most to her. Alongside its emotional storyline, the movie promises a strong action element, with Taapsee Pannu taking on what has been described as one of her most physically demanding roles.
The film is directed by Devashish Makhija and written and produced by Kanika Dhillon.
The supporting cast includes Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Jatin Sarna.
Taapsee Pannu and Kanika Dhillon Reunite
Gandhari marks another collaboration between Taapsee Pannu and Kanika Dhillon.
The duo has previously worked together on Manmarziyaan, Haseen Dillruba and Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba. Their fourth collaboration has already generated interest because of its action-heavy storyline and Taapsee’s role as a determined mother.
Despite the ongoing copyright controversy, Gandhari remains scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3, 2026.
For now, the dispute remains based on competing claims, with Kalyan Bandi alleging similarities to his 2019 registered story and the filmmakers firmly denying any copying.
