Court Rules Against Copyright Claim on Film 'Dream Girl 2'

The Bombay High Court has dismissed a copyright infringement plea from writer Ashim Bagchi against Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms concerning the film 'Dream Girl 2'. Justice R I Chagla ruled that protection cannot be granted for common themes, plots, or ideas.

Bagchi claimed the film was based on a script he wrote in 2007. However, the court pointed out that gender disguise, a theme shared with the 1993 movie 'Mrs Doubtfire', is not novel enough to secure copyright protection. The court also indicated differences between the two scripts.

Deeming the claims frivolous, the court ordered Bagchi to pay Rs 10 lakh in total to the film's producers and associates. This decision follows the court's earlier refusal to grant an interim stay on the movie's release.

(With inputs from agencies.)