Taapsee Pannu’s upcoming Netflix film Gandhari has become the centre of a copyright controversy after writer Kalyan Bandi alleged that its story resembles a concept he developed in 2019.
Bandi claims he wrote and registered a story titled Gandhari, about a mother who takes on a fierce role while trying to rescue her daughter from a child-trafficking network. He says he pitched the concept to Monika Shergill in 2019 and later shared it with other production platforms.
According to Bandi, he became concerned after Netflix announced Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari in 2025. He claims the film’s title and central premise appeared similar to his earlier work. He also says he sent a legal notice in September 2025 seeking compensation and credit, but the matter did not proceed to court.
Bandi has maintained that recognition, rather than financial compensation, is his primary concern. He said he would be satisfied if the makers acknowledged his contribution.
However, Kanika Dhillon’s production house Kathha Pictures has strongly rejected the allegations. The company called Gandhari an original work written and produced by Dhillon and described the claims as false and unverified.
Netflix and Monika Shergill were contacted for their response, but no reply had been received at the time of publication.
Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari is scheduled to release on Netflix on September 3.
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