Sayani Gupta's 'Aasmani' cleared of copyright infringement by Screenwriters Body
Synopsis
Sayani Gupta's debut directorial 'Aasmani' has been formally cleared of copyright infringement by the Screenwriters Association's Dispute Settlement Committee, which ruled that the film and the unfinished documentary 'Prabha' share only a common idea — not its expression. A defamation case filed by Gupta against the complainant, in which she has already prevailed, adds an additional legal dimension that effectively closes the matter.
Key Takeaways
The Screenwriters Association's Dispute Settlement Committee (DSC) has cleared Sayani Gupta's debut film 'Aasmani' of copyright infringement allegations.
The complaint alleged similarities between 'Aasmani' and the unfinished documentary 'Prabha' ; the DSC found only the underlying idea was shared, not its expression.
The DSC noted that copyright protects expression, not ideas — especially where the complainant's work is a documentary based on a real person's publicly known life.
Sayani Gupta had also filed a separate defamation suit against the complainant, in which the court ruled in her favour.
The SWA complaint has been formally closed without prejudice to either party's remaining legal rights.
Actress and first-time director Sayani Gupta has broken her silence after her debut film 'Aasmani' received a clean chit from the Screenwriters Association's Dispute Settlement Committee (DSC), which found no copyright infringement in the allegations levelled against the production. The ruling closes a chapter that had cast a shadow over the film's festival journey.
What the Complaint Alleged
A formal complaint had been filed against Sayani Gupta — in her capacity as director — and editor Paramita Ghosh, alleging that 'Aasmani' bore significant similarities to 'Prabha', an as-yet-unfinished documentary. The complainant claimed the two works shared enough common elements to constitute copyright infringement.
What the DSC Found
After reviewing submissions from both sides and commissioning independent expert comparisons, the DSC concluded that the two works share only the underlying idea — not its expression. The committee noted that storytelling approach, character development, conflict structure, and story arc differ substantially between the two projects. Crucially, the DSC observed that copyright law protects expression, not ideas, a principle that carries added weight here given that 'Prabha' is a documentary rooted in a real person's publicly known life. The proceedings have accordingly been concluded and the complaint closed at the Screenwriters Association (SWA)'s end, without prejudice to the legal rights and remedies available to either party.
Defamation Suit Adds a Legal Layer
The DSC also noted that Sayani Gupta had independently filed a defamation suit against the complainant, in which the court has already ruled in her favour. Because the issues in that case overlap with the DSC complaint, the matter is now sub judice, which barred the committee from further adjudication — an additional procedural factor in closing the complaint.
Sayani Gupta's Reaction
Responding to the committee's finding, Sayani Gupta said, '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. 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.'
What This Means for 'Aasmani'
The clearing arrives as significant relief for Sayani Gupta, whose directorial debut had earned attention on the global festival circuit even as the copyright dispute clouded its reception. With the DSC complaint now formally closed, the film can be associated primarily with its creative merits rather than the legal controversy. Whether 'Prabha''s creators pursue any remaining legal avenues remains to be seen.
Point of View
Only their expression is — but its significance lies in what it says about the pressure first-time directors face when creative choices are challenged before a film even completes its festival run. Sayani Gupta's case also illustrates a growing pattern: copyright complaints filed at industry bodies running parallel to, and sometimes conflicting with, civil court proceedings. The sub judice complication that ultimately barred the DSC from full adjudication suggests the SWA may need clearer protocols for cases where overlapping litigation is already underway. For the broader film community, the outcome reinforces that idea-similarity, particularly in non-fiction adjacent storytelling, is not a copyright trigger.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the copyright complaint against 'Aasmani'?
A complaint was filed alleging that Sayani Gupta's directorial debut 'Aasmani' was substantially similar to 'Prabha', an unfinished documentary. The complaint was heard by the Screenwriters Association's Dispute Settlement Committee (DSC), which ultimately found no copyright infringement.
What did the Screenwriters Association's DSC conclude?
The DSC concluded that 'Aasmani' and 'Prabha' share only the underlying idea, while their storytelling, character development, conflict, and story arc differ significantly. The committee affirmed that copyright law protects expression, not ideas, and closed the complaint accordingly.
Who was the complaint filed against?
The complaint was filed against Sayani Gupta, in her capacity as director of 'Aasmani', and editor Paramita Ghosh. Both were cleared of the copyright infringement allegations by the DSC.
What is the status of the defamation case?
Sayani Gupta separately filed a defamation suit against the complainant, in which the court has ruled in her favour. Because this case overlaps with the DSC complaint, the matter is now sub judice, which barred the DSC from further adjudication on related issues.
What does this mean for 'Aasmani' going forward?
With the SWA complaint formally closed, 'Aasmani' is no longer under any copyright cloud at the industry body level. The film, which had been making the rounds of international festivals, can now be received on its own creative terms, though any remaining legal proceedings between the parties are unaffected by the DSC's closure.
