Delhi High Court Directs 'Doosra' Makers To Add Disclaimer Stating Film Doesn't Have Sourav Ganguly's Consent To Use His Name

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Published 6 November 2026

Case: Sourav Ganguly v. Doosra
Court: High Court of Delhi
Source: LiveLaw

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

The Delhi High Court directed the makers of the film 'Doosra' to include a disclaimer stating that the film does not have Sourav Ganguly's consent to use his name. This order was issued in a case concerning the unauthorized use of a public figure's name and persona.

Ratio Decidendi · Legal Principle Established

The court held that films using a public figure's name without consent must carry a clear disclaimer to avoid misleading the public about the figure's endorsement or involvement.

Practice & Procedural Impact for Advocates

Advocates representing public figures should seek injunctions or disclaimers for unauthorized use of their client's persona in creative works. Filmmakers and content creators must ensure proper consent or include explicit disclaimers when referencing public figures to avoid legal disputes.

Key Legal Takeaways

1Unauthorized use of a public figure's name in a film can lead to legal action.
2Courts may mandate disclaimers to clarify lack of consent or endorsement.
3Filmmakers should obtain explicit consent or use clear disclaimers when depicting real individuals.

The Legal Issue Sourav Ganguly approached the Delhi High Court regarding the film 'Doosra', which allegedly used his name and persona without his consent. The core legal issue was whether a film could use a public figure's name without their explicit permission and, if so, what safeguards were necessary to prevent misrepresentation.

Court's Reasoning The Delhi High Court, after considering the arguments, determined that while creative works might draw inspiration from real-life events or individuals, the unauthorized use of a public figure's name could mislead the public into believing that the figure endorsed or was involved with the project. To mitigate this, the court found it necessary to ensure transparency. Therefore, it directed the film's makers to incorporate a prominent disclaimer.

What Follows The Delhi High Court directed the makers of 'Doosra' to add a disclaimer to the film. This disclaimer must explicitly state that Sourav Ganguly has not given his consent for the use of his name in the film. This measure aims to inform the audience and prevent any false impression of Ganguly's association with the movie.