Filmmaker Accuses Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge of Script Theft, Plans Legal Battle
Aditya Dhar's blockbuster film Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, starring Ranveer Singh, has been embroiled in a major controversy after filmmaker Santosh Kumar RS publicly alleged that the movie is based on a script he authored in 2023. Backing his claims with official registration documents and detailed evidence, Santosh has declared his intention to pursue legal action against the production team.
Discovery of Alleged Similarities Post-Release
Santosh revealed that he only identified the purported overlap after watching the film, which has been achieving remarkable success at the box office. "You all might have watched Dhurandhar 2. It is working very well everywhere. After watching the movie, I came to know that it is my script and story," he stated. He elaborated that he had written the script with immense effort in 2023 and had pitched it to various companies, believing that corporate backing was essential to attract top-tier actors.
Extensive Pitching Efforts to Major Studios
The filmmaker detailed his attempts to scale the project by approaching multiple prominent production houses. He submitted the script to industry giants such as Sony Pictures, Zee Studios, T-Series, and Dharma Productions in hopes of securing support. During these early stages, Santosh had envisioned a different lead actor, naming Aditya Roy Kapur as his preferred choice for the protagonist role.
Official Registration with Screenwriters Association
Emphasizing the legitimacy of his claim, Santosh highlighted that his script was formally registered with the Screenwriters Association in November 2023. "I am a member of the Screenwriters Association, and I registered my story there in November 2023," he asserted, confirming that he possesses concrete evidence to substantiate his allegations of intellectual property exploitation.
Legal Action and Broader Implications
Reiterating his resolve, Santosh announced plans to file a legal case, despite acknowledging the film's commercial success. "I am putting a case on this movie because even though they have made a good movie, my story has been exploited. I had written the film for cinema and entertainment, but they made it as political propaganda. It is hurting me," he expressed. He further stressed that this issue transcends his personal experience, aiming to prevent similar occurrences for other creators. "What happened with me should not happen with anyone, and that's why I will put my maximum effort to let people know about it," he added.
Background on the Filmmaker and the Film
According to his IMDb profile, Santosh Kumar RS originates from Thirthahalli in Karnataka's Shivamogga district and has worked extensively as a director, writer, and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Campus Kranti (2023) and is currently developing Yuvan Robinhood, a pan-India action thriller scheduled for release in 2026.
Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, directed by Aditya Dhar, features an ensemble cast including R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, and Sanjay Dutt in pivotal roles. Released on March 19, the film is rapidly approaching the Rs 900 crore milestone at the global box office, solidifying its status as a major commercial hit.
