The makers of Taapsee Pannu-starrer Gandhari have rejected allegations that the upcoming Netflix film copied another filmmaker’s concept or title. Production banner Kathha Pictures issued a statement calling the claims “false” and urged media outlets and social-media users not to present unverified allegations as established fact.
Taapsee Pannu’s upcoming action drama ** Gandhari ** has found itself at the centre of a plagiarism controversy ahead of its Netflix premiere. The makers, however, have strongly denied the allegations and said the claims circulating online and in some publications are false.
The film, which has been in the making for some time, is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3, 2026. Directed by Devashish Makhija and written and produced by Kanika Dhillon, Gandhari is positioned as an emotionally driven revenge story centred on a mother’s determination to protect her child.
The controversy emerged after allegations were circulated suggesting that the film’s concept and title were taken from another filmmaker’s work. Kathha Pictures has now responded directly, rejecting those claims.
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Add Hunterfly on GoogleKathha Pictures Denies the Allegations
Taking to the production banner’s official Instagram account, Kathha Pictures issued a statement addressing the controversy.
The production house said:
“Our attention has been drawn to allegations circulating on social media and in certain publications to the effect that our forthcoming film Gandhari copies another person’s concept and uses that person’s title. These allegations are false, and we deny them unequivocally.”
The statement represents the makers’ formal position on the matter.
Rather than leaving the allegations unanswered, the production banner sought to clarify its position before the film’s release.
Makers Say Gandhari Was Developed by Their Team
Kathha Pictures further stated that the film was written and produced by Kanika Dhillon and developed by the team behind the project.
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Add Hunterfly on GoogleThe production house also requested that media organisations, digital platforms and members of the public avoid presenting the allegations as established fact unless they have been verified.
The statement added:
“We request the media, digital platforms and members of the public to treat these allegations as what they are, namely unverified and false, and to refrain from publishing, circulating or repeating them as established fact.”
The wording makes the makers’ position clear: they reject the plagiarism allegations and maintain that the project is an original work developed by their team.
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Add Hunterfly on GoogleWhat Is Gandhari About?
While the controversy has placed the film’s origins under discussion, Gandhari itself is being presented as an intense story about motherhood, protection and revenge.
Taapsee Pannu plays the central character in what has been described as an emotionally charged action drama.
The story revolves around a mother’s fierce instinct to protect her child, giving the film a personal emotional foundation alongside its action elements.
The premise also allows Taapsee to move into a physically demanding role.
Reports surrounding the project have indicated that the actor will be seen in a more action-oriented avatar.
Taapsee Pannu Takes on an Action-Heavy Role
Taapsee has previously demonstrated her ability to handle physically demanding characters, and Gandhari appears to continue that trajectory.
The film reportedly requires her to perform in an action-heavy setting while simultaneously carrying the emotional weight of a mother fighting to protect her child.
That combination is central to the film’s positioning.
Rather than presenting the protagonist as an action hero disconnected from an emotional narrative, Gandhari appears to build its conflict around the personal stakes surrounding her child.
Devashish Makhija Directs the Film
Gandhari is directed by Devashish Makhija, a filmmaker known for his gritty and character-focused cinema.
Makhija previously directed ** Bhonsle (2018)** and ** Joram (2023)**.
Both films established his reputation for exploring difficult subjects through intense character-driven storytelling.
His involvement in Gandhari therefore adds another dimension to expectations around the project.
The film’s action elements are being combined with a deeply personal emotional conflict, an approach that fits within the filmmaker’s broader interest in complex characters and social realities.
Ishwak Singh Joins Taapsee in the Lead Cast
Actor Ishwak Singh is also part of the lead cast.
The supporting ensemble includes several familiar performers, including Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Jatin Sarna.
The combination of established actors and a filmmaker known for serious dramatic work suggests that Gandhari is aiming for more than conventional action spectacle.
The emotional relationships between the characters are expected to play an important role in the narrative.
The Film Wrapped Shooting in 2025
The production of Gandhari has already been completed, with the shoot reportedly wrapping in March 2025.
The lengthy gap between the completion of filming and its eventual streaming release has contributed to the anticipation surrounding the project.
Now that Netflix has announced the premiere date, attention has shifted towards the film’s promotional campaign and the controversy surrounding its alleged origins.
The makers’ latest statement is therefore particularly significant because it comes shortly before the film reaches audiences.
Kanika Dhillon and Taapsee Pannu Reunite Again
Gandhari marks another collaboration between Kanika Dhillon and Taapsee Pannu.
The pair have previously worked together on:
- Manmarziyaan
- Haseen Dillruba
- Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba
Their partnership has produced films that often place complicated relationships and emotionally conflicted characters at the centre of the narrative.
Gandhari represents another extension of that creative association, this time through a story driven by motherhood, protection and revenge.
A Different Kind of Taapsee Pannu Character
Taapsee has built a reputation for choosing roles that move beyond conventional Hindi-film characterisation.
From relationship dramas to thrillers and socially driven stories, her filmography includes several characters defined by resilience and strong personal agency.
Gandhari appears to continue that pattern.
The central character’s motivation is rooted in protecting her child, but the film’s action-driven treatment could give the actor an opportunity to explore a more physically aggressive performance.
The combination of emotional vulnerability and action could become one of the film’s defining elements.
Taapsee’s Recent Release
Taapsee was last seen earlier this year in ** Assi **, directed by Anubhav Sinha.
The film received critical appreciation for its subject and treatment, although it reportedly struggled to make a significant impact at the box office.
With Gandhari, Taapsee now returns to a project positioned more firmly within the action-drama space.
Its direct-to-streaming release also means the film will reach audiences through Netflix rather than following a conventional theatrical rollout.
The Plagiarism Debate and What Comes Next
Plagiarism allegations can become particularly complicated when they involve questions of concepts, titles and creative development.
In this case, the makers have explicitly denied the allegations.
That means claims that Gandhari copied another filmmaker’s work should not be presented as established fact without independently verified evidence.
For now, the confirmed position is that Kathha Pictures rejects the allegations and says the film was written and produced by Kanika Dhillon and developed by its team.
The controversy may continue to generate discussion online, but the film’s actual content will ultimately allow audiences to assess its story and execution for themselves.
Why Gandhari Is Worth Watching
Beyond the controversy, the film brings together an interesting combination of talent.
Taapsee Pannu leads the cast, Devashish Makhija directs, and Kanika Dhillon returns to writing and producing with Taapsee.
The story’s focus on a mother’s protective instinct also gives the action genre an emotional centre.
Rather than making revenge the sole motivation, the film appears to frame the protagonist’s journey through motherhood and personal loss.
That could provide the film with a more grounded emotional dimension.
Final Takeaway
The makers of ** Gandhari ** have firmly rejected allegations that Taapsee Pannu’s upcoming Netflix film copied another filmmaker’s concept or title.
Kathha Pictures has called the allegations “false” and asked media outlets and the public not to circulate the claims as established fact.
Directed by Devashish Makhija, written and produced by Kanika Dhillon, and starring Taapsee Pannu and Ishwak Singh, Gandhari is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3, 2026.
With a story built around a mother’s determination to protect her child and an action-oriented performance from Taapsee, the film is now heading into its final promotional phase under heightened public attention.
