Filmmaker Aditya Dhar breathed easy on Thursday as two High Courts delivered blows to plagiarism allegations against his blockbuster Dhurandhar franchise. The Karnataka High Court dismissed a petition to revoke the film’s censor certificate, while the Bombay High Court secured a promise from accuser Santosh Kumar to halt “defamatory” remarks.
Justice K S Hemalekha ruled that Santosh Kumar failed to prove infringement under the Cinematograph Act, stressing that CBFC certification checks safety and morality—not private copyright disputes. “The burden lies on the petitioner to show access and substantial similarity… such issues require trial in civil court,” the bench noted, allowing Kumar to pursue remedies under the Copyright Act instead. Kumar claimed Dhurandhar: The Revenge stole from his 2023 SWA-registered script D-Saheb, but the court found no statutory violation warranting interference.
In parallel, before Bombay HC’s Justice Arif Doctor, Kumar’s counsel assured no further public attacks on Dhar, who had sued for defamation after Kumar’s media jabs—including branding him a “chor” (thief). Dhar’s team sought an apology, but Kumar stood firm on his claims while agreeing to stay silent until the suit resolves. This follows Dhar’s earlier legal notice denying any script theft.
Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh as a daring Indian spy, exploded at the box office. The 2025 original grossed ₹1300 crore worldwide, shattering domestic records, only for its March 2026 sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge to top it. The ensemble features R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun, blending spy thrills with high drama under Dharma Productions and YRF.
The row erupted post-Dhurandhar 2’s release, with Kumar alleging plot parallels to D-Saheb. Dhar, known for Uri: The Surgical Strike, maintains originality. Courts’ stance underscores that plagiarism battles belong in civil forums, not censor boards—protecting Dhurandhar’s run while the suit simmers.
Industry watchers see this as a win for creators amid rising script-theft claims. Ranveer Singh’s electrifying performance and Dhar’s taut direction keep fans hooked, proving commercial triumph trumps courtroom drama—for now