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Months after the movie’s worldwide release and at a time when its Oscar dreams have already taken flightdirector Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound has found itself embroiled in controversy after journalist-turned-author Puja Changoiwala initiated legal action against the drama, alleging that it has plagiarised her 2021 novel of the same title. This came to light days after the movie was shortlisted in the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.
Puja has initiated legal action against Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla’s Dharma Productions Private Limited, which bankrolled the movie, and Netflix Entertainment Services India LLP, which streams it on its OTT platform, Hindustan Times reported, adding that she will soon file a suit in the Bombay High Court. Meanwhile, Dharma Productions has responded to the allegations, calling them “baseless and unfounded.”
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“The allegations of copyright infringement are baseless and unfounded, and Dharma Productions categorically denies the same. Homebound is an officially licensed adaptation inspired by the New York Times article by Basharat Peer, with all requisite rights lawfully acquired and due credit duly provided,” the production house’s spokesperson told the publication on Wednesday, December 24.
The spokesperson mentioned that Dharma received Puja’s legal notice in October and that the production house responded “duly” soon after. However, they said they have yet to receive any official communication from the accuser regarding the purported legal suit.
Mentioning that the COVID outbreak and the subsequent exodus of migrant workers serve as backdrop for both the film and her novel, Puja alleged, “Upon watching the film, I discovered that the producers have not only misappropriated the title of my book, but have also blatantly reproduced substantial portions of my novel in the second half of the film — including its scenes, dialogue, narrative structure, sequence of events, and other creative expressions.”
Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles, the movie’s screenplay was penned by Neeraj Ghaywan himself.
