‘Panipat’ Gets Relief from Bombay HC; Cleared for 6 Dec Release

The makers were accused of plagiarism by a Marathi author.

Panipat cleared for December 6 release by Bombay High Court

(Photo: Instagram)

The Bombay High Court has refused to grant interim relief to Marathi author Vishwas Patil who claimed that Ashutosh Gowariker’s Panipat is plagiarized from his 1988 book by the same name. Clearing the film for its scheduled 6 December release, the Court held, “Projecting Maratha warriors in positive or good light is not copyright-able.”

Vishwas Patil had filed a suit of copyright infringement against the makers and said that they have copied his literary work to make the feature film. He also argued that the portrayal of Parvati Bai holding a sword is unique to his book, along with six to seven other distinct elements found in the trailer.

He had also sought for a private screening of the movie before its release, which too was rejected by the Court. Ashutosh Gowariker had denied taking reference from this book and said that he never takes content from novels while making a historical film.

The Single Judge Bench of Justice SC Gupte went on to hold, “In order for plaintiff to make out such case, there must be some material prima facie showing serious case of copyright infringement. There is hardly any case of copyright infringement.”

Starring Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Sanjay Dutt, Panipat is based on the Third Battle of Panipat when the Marathi Peshwas, lead by Sadashiv Rao Bhau take on the fierce Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali who plans to take over India. It also stars Mohnish Behl, Zeenat Aman, Padmini Kolhapure.