Just days after earning a spot on the Oscars shortlist, filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound has found itself at the centre of a legal controversy, with an author alleging that the film plagiarises elements from his literary work.
Complaint filed against the team of Homebound
A formal complaint had been filed by journalist and author Puja Changoiwala, claiming that Homebound borrowed heavily from a previously published story without authorisation or credit. In an email to Hindustan Times, the author has reportedly sought legal recourse, alleging similarities in narrative structure, themes, and character arcs between the film and his work.
She wrote in the mail that “the subject of both (her novel and the film) is the COVID-19 migrant exodus of 2020.” She also alleged, “Upon watching the film, I discovered that the producers have not only misappropriated the title of my book, but have also blatantly reproduced substantial portions of my novel in the second half of the film, including its scenes, dialogue, narrative structure, sequence of events, and other creative expressions.”
Dharma Productions responds
Responding to Mid-day, the production house said, "The allegations of copyright infringement are baseless and unfounded, and Dharma Productions categorically denies the same. Homebound is an officially licensed adaptation inspired by the New York Times article by Basharat Peer, with all requisite rights lawfully acquired and due credit duly provided. A legal notice has been received and duly responded to by Dharma Productions’ legal counsel."
The statement further read, "Dharma Productions has become aware through media reports of an alleged pre-suit mediation before the Bombay High Court — however, no formal communication has been received to date. We take such allegations seriously and are exploring legal action at our end to protect the integrity of our film."
Directed by Ghaywan and backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, Homebound had been widely praised for its storytelling and social commentary, making the plagiarism claim particularly significant.
