Dhurandhar Script Row: Bombay High Court Closes Aditya Dhar's Defamation Suit After Santosh Kumar Tenders Apology

The Bombay High Court has disposed of a defamation suit filed by Aditya Dhar, director of the recently released Bollywood film Dhurandhar, against Filmmaker Santosh Kumar, who in a Press Conference had claimed that the script of the film in question was 'copied' from his original work titled as 'D Saheb.'

Single-judge Justice Arif Doctor, disposed of the suit on April 30, after Kumar tendered an apology for whatever he stated in the Press Conference against Dhar.

"Mr. Bhura, the counsel appearing on behalf of Santosh Kumar (who is present in Court) has tendered an apology for the statements made in the press meeting held on March 30, 2026. Dr. Saraf, the Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of Aditya Dhar submits that, in light of the apology tendered, his client does not wish to precipitate the Suit for damages. He accepts the said apology and submits that the Suit can now be accordingly disposed of. In light of this, nothing further survives in the Suit and the same is accordingly disposed of," Justice Doctor recorded in the order.

The judge, has however, granted liberty to Kumar to initiate appropriate proceedings with regards to his claim over the film's script. The order reads, "It is made clear that if Kumar has any claim to make against the Plaintiff with regard to the script of the film 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026),' he shall be at liberty to do so and that this order shall not, in any manner come in the way of such claim."

The bench was moved by Dhar who sought restraining orders against Kumar over his alleged defamatory comments against the filmmaker after the release of the second part of Dhurandar film - Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026). He pointed out that Kumar had addressed a press conference and made certain allegations of plagiarism. It was his contention that Kumar accused Dhar of 'copying' his script which he claimed to have registered with the Screenwriters Association in 2023.

It would not be out of place to mention that Kumar had claimed that he had discussed his original script titled 'D Saheb' with several major production houses but even before anything could proceed further, Dhar copied his script and made the film in question.

The matter was first heard on April 8, when the bench restrained Kumar from making any defamatory comments against Dhar or the movie.

On a hearing held on April 16, Justice Doctor, had urged both the parties to try and 'settle' the dispute and not 'escalate' the same to the extent of filing defamation suit.

In a subsequent hearing, held on April 30, Kumar told the court orally that henceforth, he would not be making any defamatory comments against Dhar or the movie. However, his counsel refused to tender an apology for the comments made in the press meet stating that the same were not made directly against Dhar. But the matter was again mentioned before the judge, when Kumar finally apologised for his statements and the matter stood settled.

Appearance:

Senior Advocate Dr Birendra Saraf along with Advocates Parag Khandhar, Chandrima M, Siddhi Somani and Zara D instructed by DSK Legal appeared for Aditya Dhar.

Advocate Chintan Bhura represented Santosh Kumar.

Advocates Reeti Shetty and Charu Shukla represented Google LLC.

Advocates Harit Lakhani and Abhishek Mookherjee instructed by Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. represented Meta Platforms Inc.

Advocates Nupur Jalan and Meenaz Kakalia represented Reddit Inc.

Case Title: Aditya Dhar vs Santosh Kumar

Click Here To Read/Download Order