Actor and filmmaker Sayani Gupta has reportedly approached the Mumbai City Civil Court in connection with a dispute surrounding her short film ‘Aasmani’. According to reports, Gupta has filed a defamation suit against filmmaker Vinita Negi, seeking Rs 9 crore in damages over allegations linked to the film.
The proceedings, reportedly titled Sayani Gupta v. Vinita Negi & Ors., also name Meta, Reddit and Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited as defendants.
According to Bar and Bench, an application seeking an urgent hearing and interim relief was expected to be listed on September 3, with the matter likely to come before Additional Sessions Judge Shudhirkumar Murlidharrao Bukke.
The dispute stems from allegations that Gupta’s short film ‘Aasmani’ substantially resembles Negi’s unfinished documentary ‘Prabha’. Gupta has rejected those allegations in her court plea.
What Is the ‘Aasmani’ and ‘Prabha’ Dispute?
‘Aasmani’ marks Gupta’s first short fiction film as a writer, director and producer. The film features veteran actor Revathy.
Negi, who is an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), had reportedly accused Gupta of copyright infringement and breach of trust. Her allegation is that ‘Aasmani’ borrowed substantially from her unfinished documentary ‘Prabha’.
The reported similarities include the presence of an elderly woman and a vintage car, among other elements.
Gupta has disputed the allegation in her court filing, arguing that such broad or generic elements cannot be treated as exclusively belonging to one filmmaker under copyright law.
Her plea reportedly states that the presence of an elderly woman, a car or a driver in a creative work does not give another creator a monopoly over those concepts.
The court proceedings will determine the legal issues raised by the parties; the allegations themselves should not be treated as findings of fact.
Dispute Had Earlier Reached Screenwriters Association
The disagreement reportedly predates the Mumbai court proceedings.
According to Gupta’s plea, Negi filed a complaint before the Screenwriters Association (SWA) in April 2026. The matter was reportedly still pending when Gupta alleges that a broader campaign supporting Negi’s claims began circulating.
The suit refers to a “Statement of Support” that was allegedly distributed through WhatsApp and social media platforms.
According to the claims made in Gupta’s court filing, the statement received more than 250 signatures from members of the film fraternity.
Gupta has questioned whether everyone who signed the statement had independently viewed and compared the two works. Her plea reportedly argues that the signatures were obtained based on allegations circulated by Negi rather than through an independent assessment of the films.
These assertions are part of Gupta’s legal case and have not been independently established by the court.
Why Sayani Gupta Says the Controversy Hurt ‘Aasmani’
Gupta has also alleged that the dispute affected the festival journey of ‘Aasmani’.
According to her court plea, the film was withdrawn from the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand (TIFFNZ) amid the controversy.
The filmmaker has argued that continued circulation of plagiarism allegations could harm her professional reputation and have consequences for her future work.
Her plea reportedly describes the allegations as having created what it calls a false and unwarranted cloud over her professional integrity and credibility.
Whether the alleged reputational harm and other claims meet the legal threshold for the relief sought will be a matter for the court to consider.
Sayani Gupta Seeks Rs 9 Crore in Damages
Apart from the reported Rs 9 crore damages claim, Gupta has sought additional relief in the proceedings.
Her requests reportedly include directions to Meta, Reddit and Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited concerning allegedly defamatory articles and social media posts connected with the controversy.
She has also sought an unconditional apology and public retraction from Vinita Negi, according to reports on the case.
The lawsuit was reportedly filed through A&P Partners.
The inclusion of social media and publishing entities in the proceedings highlights Gupta’s broader challenge to the alleged online dissemination of statements concerning the ‘Aasmani’ dispute.
Sayani Gupta’s ‘Aasmani’ Film Career
‘Aasmani’, released in 2026, marks Gupta’s official short-fiction debut as a writer, director and producer.
The project also features veteran performer Revathy and represents a move behind the camera for Gupta, who has established herself as an actor across Hindi cinema and streaming projects.
Gupta was most recently seen in ‘Glory’.
For now, the ‘Aasmani’ dispute remains a matter before the court. The allegations made by either party should be distinguished from any eventual judicial findings, and further developments in the proceedings could clarify the legal and factual issues surrounding the two projects.
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