Dharma Productions has found itself embroiled in a plagiarism controversy surrounding its film Homebound, which is currently India’s official entry for the Oscars. Author and journalist Puja Changoiwala has initiated legal proceedings against the production house and Netflix Entertainment Services India, alleging that the film copied her 2021 novel of the same name.
Dharma Productions Responds to Plagiarism Claims
When approached by India Today for comment, a Dharma Productions representative stated, “We are responding to the claim legally and cannot comment anything right now.” The production house is addressing the allegations through legal channels as Changoiwala prepares to file her case in the Bombay High Court.
What Are the Copyright Infringement Allegations?
Changoiwala issued a legal notice to Dharma Productions on October 15, outlining alleged copyright violations on a scene-by-scene basis. According to her claims, the similarities between her novel and the film extend beyond superficial elements.
The author has specifically alleged that:
- The film uses the same title as her 2021 novel
- The second half of the film mirrors scenes and dialogue from her book
- The narrative structure and sequence of events closely follow her novel
- Both works focus on the COVID-19 migrant exodus of 2020
- The film’s script was developed in 2022, a year after her book was published
Changoiwala has also accused Dharma Productions of “passing off” by using the identical title, claiming this constitutes misrepresentation.
About Homebound: India’s Oscar Entry
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles. The film released in theatres on September 26, 2025, following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
The film has gained international recognition as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards and has made it to the December shortlist.
Dharma’s Defense: Inspired by New York Times Article
The filmmakers have consistently maintained that Homebound draws its inspiration from a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer titled “A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway.” According to Dharma Productions, this article served as the primary source material for the film’s narrative and thematic elements. The film centers on the story of two childhood friends who find themselves navigating the challenges of appearing for the national police examination against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. The narrative explores their friendship, aspirations, and the obstacles they face during one of India’s most difficult periods in recent history.
The production house has emphasized that the film’s development was rooted in Peer’s journalistic work, which documented real stories from the pandemic era. The filmmakers have pointed to this article as evidence of independent creative development, suggesting that any similarities to other works are coincidental and stem from the shared context of the COVID-19 crisis that affected millions across India.
However, author Puja Changoiwala has firmly rejected this explanation, arguing that the defense does not adequately address the extent of similarities between her novel and the film. She contends that while both her book and the film may share the COVID-19 pandemic as a setting, the parallels extend far beyond this common backdrop. Changoiwala has stated that both works deal extensively and specifically with the COVID-19 migrant exodus of 2020, a particular aspect of the pandemic that became one of its most defining humanitarian crises in India.
Legal Process Underway
According to Changoiwala’s statement to Hindustan Times, she watched the film after its theatrical release and immediately recognized the alleged similarities to her work. She confirmed that her lawyer served a legal notice to Dharma Productions detailing the claimed infringements.
The author has approached the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, which requires mandatory pre-institution mediation before filing a commercial suit.
What Happens Next?
As the legal proceedings move forward, the matter is set to be examined by the courts. Meanwhile, Homebound continues its Oscar campaign despite the ongoing controversy.
Key developments to watch:
- Bombay High Court hearing: Changoiwala is preparing to file her case after completing the mandatory pre-institution mediation process under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015
- Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority mediation: The author has already approached this authority as required before filing a commercial suit
- Oscar campaign continuation: Despite the plagiarism allegations, Homebound remains India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards
- Legal precedent potential: The outcome could establish important guidelines for how plagiarism cases are handled in the Indian film industry
- Copyright protection debate: The case highlights ongoing concerns about intellectual property rights and protection for authors in India
Broader implications for Bollywood:
The case raises important questions about copyright protection in Indian cinema and the responsibility of production houses to ensure original content or properly credit source material. The film industry and legal experts are closely watching this case, which could set precedents for handling plagiarism allegations in Bollywood.
Issues under scrutiny include:
- The extent to which filmmakers must verify originality before adapting stories set in real historical events
- Standards for what constitutes “passing off” when titles are identical to published works
- The burden of proof required to establish copyright infringement in film adaptations
- Responsibilities of major production houses in conducting due diligence before greenlighting projects
