Journalist and author Puja Changoiwala has initiated legal action against Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla’s Dharma Productions Private Limited and Netflix Entertainment Services India LLP, alleging plagiarism of her 2021 novel Homebound.
Changoiwala plans to file a suit in the Bombay High Court over the Neeraj Ghaywan-directed film of the same name, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor.
In an email, Changoiwala said the film misappropriated the title of her book and reproduced substantial portions of its narrative, including scenes, dialogue and structure, particularly in the second half.
She claimed the similarities go beyond the shared backdrop of the 2020 COVID-19 migrant exodus.
After watching the film, Changoiwala’s lawyer issued a legal notice to Dharma on October 15, which she says was dismissed.
She has now approached the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority under the mandatory pre-litigation mediation process before moving the High Court.
