The legal battle over the script of Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge took a new turn on Thursday. The Bombay High Court stepped in and asked both parties to calm down. Justice Arif Doctor made it very clear that this fight should not go out of hand. He urged writer-director Aditya Dhar and writer Santosh Kumar to settle their dispute amicably.
The case is about plagiarism allegations. Santosh Kumar had publicly claimed that the script of Dhurandhar The Revenge was copied from his earlier work. Aditya Dhar denied this strongly. He called the claims defamatory. Then he moved to the High Court seeking relief.
Now the court has given a clear message. Do not fight in public. Do not use the media to settle scores. Instead, use proper legal channels. Justice Doctor said that if Kumar truly believes his intellectual property was stolen, he is free to file a civil suit. But he cannot keep making public statements.
This is a big development. Because until now, the fight was playing out in newspapers and on social media. Both sides were throwing allegations. Fans were confused. The film’s team was worried. But the court has now drawn a line.
Court Asks Both Sides To Show Restraint
The hearing happened on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Justice Arif Doctor observed that disputes like this can often be solved without long defamation cases. He said that fighting in court is fine. Fighting in the media is not.
The court noted that disagreements over who wrote what can be handled through structured legal procedures. Public mudslinging helps no one. It only harms the reputation of both parties. And it confuses the audience.
Justice Doctor also made an important point. He said that Santosh Kumar has the right to claim authorship. But that right must be exercised legally. Not through press conferences or interviews. If he wants credit for the story, he should file a proper case. Then the court will decide.
What Aditya Dhar’s Lawyer Said
Senior Advocate Birendra Saraf appeared for Aditya Dhar. He argued strongly that plagiarism allegations should not be repeated in public. He said these are serious charges. They can damage a director’s career. They can affect a film’s box office performance. So they must be handled only through legal remedies.
Saraf also reminded the court that Dhar had sent a legal notice to Santosh Kumar. The notice rejected all plagiarism claims. But according to Dhar, Kumar did not respond properly. That is why Dhar had to approach the High Court. He asked for an injunction and damages.
The court listened carefully. It did not give a final order yet. But it made its position clear. Go to civil court if you have a real grievance. Stop using defamation cases to fight creative disputes.
Santosh Kumar’s Lawyer Responds
Kumar’s advocate told the court that his client’s main grievance was simple. He just wanted to be recognized as the author of the story. He was not trying to stop the film or claim huge money. He just wanted credit.
The court acknowledged this. But again, it stressed that even credit claims must follow legal process. The judge asked Kumar’s lawyer to take instructions from his client. Should they restrict the matter to legal remedies only? Should they stop making public statements?
Kumar’s counsel said he would get back to the court after speaking to his client. That means we may hear more in the next hearing.
What Happened Earlier?
This is not the first time the court has intervened. On April 8, 2026, the Bombay High Court had already restrained Santosh Kumar from repeating his defamatory statements. That was an interim order. It meant Kumar could not go to the media again with the same allegations.
But apparently, the tension did not cool down. So the court had to step in again. This time with a stronger suggestion. Settle it amicably. Do not escalate.
Aditya Dhar had moved the court seeking an injunction and damages. His argument was that Kumar failed to respond to the legal notice. And that his public statements were hurting the film’s reputation. Dhurandhar The Revenge is a big-budget action sequel. It had done good business at the box office. But these plagiarism allegations created unnecessary negativity.
Why This Case Matters For Bollywood
This dispute is being watched closely by the entire film industry. Plagiarism cases are common in Bollywood. But they rarely go to the High Court at this stage. Usually, producers settle quietly. Or they give credit and pay money. But here, both sides refused to back down.
The court’s message is important. Creative disagreements should not become defamation battles. If someone copies your script, file a case. Prove it in court. But do not become a headline machine. Because that hurts the film, the team, and the audience’s trust.
Also, the court has indirectly supported the idea of civil remedies over criminal defamation. That is a healthy sign. It means the judiciary wants to decriminalize such disputes. Let people fight over money and credit, not over jail terms.
What Happens Next?
For now, both sides have been asked to talk. The court wants an amicable settlement. That means out-of-court mediation. Lawyers from both parties may sit together. They may try to find a middle ground. Perhaps a public apology. Or a shared credit. Or a small monetary settlement.
If they fail to agree, the case will continue. But the court has made its preference very clear. Do not waste judicial time on a fight that can be solved with a conversation.
Aditya Dhar is known for directing Uri: The Surgical Strike. That film was a massive hit. He has a reputation for writing tight action scripts. Santosh Kumar is a lesser-known writer. But he has every right to protect his work. The court has protected that right. But it has also told him to use the right channel.
Final Word
The Bombay High Court has done its job. It has shown the path. Now it is up to Aditya Dhar and Santosh Kumar. Will they listen to Justice Arif Doctor? Will they sit down and talk? Or will they keep fighting?
For the sake of Bollywood, one hopes they settle. Because creative fights are never clean. And defamation cases rarely make anyone happy. The best solution is always a quiet, out-of-court agreement. Let us see if common sense prevails.
