Two screenwriters, bound by a shared history of legal trauma and the eventual relief of hard-won victory, took the stage at the Screenwriters Association (SWA) to share a powerful message: “Without support, the fight is incredibly difficult.”
Filmmakers Sujoy Ghosh and Jyoti Kapoor headlined a special session titled ‘Samvaad Se Samjhauta’, hosted by the SWA’s Dispute Settlement Committee (DSC) and moderated by Preeti Mamgain. The event spotlighted the essential role of the SWA in resolving and fighting plagiarism claims, copyright infringement nuances and serving as a beacon for writers navigating the complexities of the law.
The session follows a landmark victory for Ghosh. In March, the Supreme Court quashed a long-pending copyright infringement case regarding his film Kahaani 2. Ghosh recalled that while he initially didn't take the claim seriously—knowing his work was original—the situation turned into a “nightmare” once it escalated into a criminal case.
“Other than the legal victory, the experience was a nightmare that lasted about 10 years. So many people suffered alongside me,” Ghosh shared and emphasized the isolation of the struggle. “The hardest part is keeping everything quiet; you can’t discuss the case with anyone. In the age of social media, you are put on trial by people who don’t even understand the facts.”
Ghosh revealed that the complainant was a serial litigator who had targeted others in the industry. Though the SWA’s DSC had cleared Ghosh early on, the complainant suppressed that verdict to file a court case.
The tide turned when Ghosh presented the SWA’s findings to the Supreme Court. In a landmark moment of institutional validation, the apex court upheld and referenced the SWA’s verdict, treating it as a pivotal piece of evidence that secured his ultimate victory.
The filmmaker, best known for acclaimed titles like Kahaani and Badla, thus urged screenwriters to master the nuances of their creative rights and hailed the SWA not just as a support system, but as a critical champion for the community, emphasizing that their relentless fight to safeguard writers' work is a shield for any creator facing a crisis.
“Without support, it is incredibly difficult to go through a nightmare like this… Because, despite all the hard work you put into the process of comparison and due diligence, some idiot can still go and file a criminal case. We can't stop that from happening, and that is where the nightmare truly begins,” said Ghosh.
Screenwriter Jyoti Kapoor (Good Newwz, Badhaai Ho) reflected on her own landmark 2015 victory against a prominent director—a case that saw the Supreme Court order a monetary compensation and a formal ‘story/idea’ credit for her.
Despite her victory, Kapoor admitted the trauma remains. “I realised it has been exactly 11 years since the case began. You’d think you’ve moved on, but reading the judgment brought everything back,” she said. “It feels like reopening old wounds that time has healed, but the memory still stings.”
Kapoor described the battle as a classic “David vs. Goliath” scenario, where an upcoming writer with limited resources stood her ground against an industry heavyweight. “If we don’t stand up for ourselves, the industry will continue the way it has for decades. There is a significant shift happening now; writers finally have a voice,” she said.
The session was attended by key SWA leadership, including Sweksha Bhagat (Chairperson, DSC), Kapil Bavad (Co-Chairperson, DSC), Vinod Ranganath (CEO, Screenwriters Rights Association of India), Pramila Kadam, Charudutt Acharya (Chairperson, SWA), Zama Habib (Senior EC Member, SWA) and Raj Shekhar (General Secretary, SWA).
Also Read: Supreme Court quashes copyright case against Sujoy Ghosh over Kahaani 2, calls allegations baseless
BOLLYWOOD NEWS - LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2026 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.