Doosra clears Friday release as Delhi HC refuses stay

Doosra is set to hit theatres on Friday after the Delhi High Court declined to halt its release, keeping the film on track despite an urgent plea by Sourav Ganguly and Luv Films LLP.

Justice Dinesh Bhatt, as reported by Bar and Bench, summed up the court’s position: “I have said no stay, so the film can go on.” The court clarified that it had not restrained the release, and listed the matter for a further hearing on Friday.

Why Ganguly and Luv Films moved court

The petitioners sought an injunction against the film’s theatrical, digital and other releases. They argue that Doosra uses Ganguly’s name, image, likeness and iconic cricketing moments without authorisation, and that this breaches Luv Films’ claimed exclusive rights over his proposed biopic.

At the centre of the dispute are two cricket memories Hindi film fans instantly recognise: the 2002 NatWest Series final under Ganguly’s captaincy, and the shirtless celebration from the Lord’s balcony after India’s dramatic win. The trailer and promotional campaign, launched on October 12, allegedly lean on those moments. The petitioners say this creates commercial interest and could imply Ganguly has endorsed the film.

The biopic angle

The case also involves a parallel project. Luv Films says it signed an agreement with Ganguly on August 5, 2021, giving it exclusive rights to develop audiovisual content based on his life and cricketing career. That authorised biopic, Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story, is scheduled for May 14, 2027.

Director Abhinay Deo’s October 13 interview is part of the suit: he discussed how the 2002 NatWest final and Ganguly’s milestones influenced the fictional character Tara in Doosra.

What’s actually at stake

For moviegoers, the immediate consequence is simple: Doosra’s Friday release goes ahead unless the next hearing changes course. For the entertainment industry, the case is another signal that personality and publicity rights are being policed more closely where fictional stories brush against real public figures.

Here’s what we know so far:

• The court refused an interim stay, so Doosra can release theatrically for now.
• The full dispute remains unresolved, with the next hearing set for Friday.
• Luv Films claims exclusive rights through its 2021 agreement and a biopic slated for May 14, 2027.

What fans should watch for

The refusal to block the release is not a judgment on the merits. It simply means the film can open while the legal arguments continue. If you’re planning to watch Doosra, pay attention to how it handles the NatWest final references: that is where the petitioners say the likeness claims are strongest.

For now, the projectors stay on, the dispute stays live, and the authorised Dada film remains further down the calendar.

Source: India Today