Cinema VinesActor Sayani Gupta has secured a legal victory in a copyright dispute over her directorial debut, Aasmani. The Screenwriters Association’s Dispute Settlement Committee (DSC) has cleared the film of allegations that it infringed on filmmaker Vinia Negi’s unfinished documentary, Prabha. The complaint, filed in April 2026, claimed that both works centered on an elderly woman and a vintage car, suggesting a direct copy of Negi’s concept.
After a detailed review that included independent expert comparisons, the DSC concluded that the two projects only shared a basic idea. The committee emphasized that copyright protects expression, not ideas, and noted that Negi’s documentary is based on a real person’s publicly known life. Consequently, the DSC found no infringement in Aasmani’s storytelling, character development, conflict, or narrative arc.
Gupta has also pursued a separate defamation suit against Negi, which the court has ruled in her favour. Because the defamation case overlaps with the DSC complaint, the matter is now sub judice, preventing the DSC from further adjudication. The proceedings have therefore been closed by the SWA without prejudice to either party’s remaining legal rights.
In a statement, Gupta expressed relief, saying, “Truth will always prevail. I had respected the process and am grateful that the truth has come out.” She added that the ordeal has been “the most harrowing experience of my life” and quoted her grandmother’s Tagore‑inspired words: “Tomar potaka jaare dao, bohibare dao shokoti.”
Negi’s initial complaint was supported by a campaign that circulated a “Statement of Support” on WhatsApp and social media, gathering over 250 signatures. The controversy also led to the withdrawal of Aasmani from the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand (TIFFNZ). Gupta is now seeking ₹9 crore in damages and demands an unconditional apology and public retraction from Negi.
