Bollywood Powerhouses Dharma Productions and Netflix Face Lawsuit Over Oscar-Bound Film Homebound

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A high-stakes copyright dispute has erupted in the film industry, with author Puja Changoiwala taking Dharma Productions and Netflix to court over the Oscar contender Homebound. The novel, released in 2021, has been allegedly plagiarized by the production house, which adapted it into a film starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. The controversy centers around the film's depiction of the COVID-19 migrant exodus of 2020, which Puja claims is identical to the plot of her novel. Her lawyer had sent a legal notice to Dharma Productions in October, highlighting several similarities between the two works, including scenes, dialogue, and narrative structure. While Dharma Productions has refused to comment on the allegations, Puja is seeking remedies in court, including a permanent injunction against the film's distribution, removal of allegedly infringing material, and a change in the film's title. She also demands damages for copyright infringement. Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has been shortlisted for the Oscars and has been selected as India's entry for the Best International Feature Film category. The production house claims that the story is based on a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer, but Puja disputes this, stating that the film's script was written in 2022, long after her novel was published. The case has sparked debate about the protection of intellectual property rights in the film industry, with many writers and authors speaking out in support of Puja's decision to take action against the production house. The outcome of the case will be closely watched by the film industry and copyright advocates alike.