Following a detailed hearing on September 3, 2026, the court restrained Negi from circulating defamatory claims and directed major intermediaries, including Meta Platforms, to take down contested posts targeting Gupta.
The Court's Restraining Order & Takedown Directives
Represented by Counsel Monil Punjabi along with Partner Priyanka Sinha of A&P Partners, Gupta sought emergency legal intervention to protect her professional standing:
Gag on Defamatory Statements: The civil court restrained Vinita Negi from making, publishing, broadcasting, or circulating any form of material that is defamatory against Sayani Gupta.
Intermediary Takedowns: The court directed Meta Platforms (Instagram and Facebook), Reddit, and named media houses to promptly delete and remove posts and articles containing the allegedly defamatory content.
Damages & Retraction Sought: While interim relief has been granted, the main lawsuit—demanding ₹9 Crore in damages, an unconditional public apology, and a formal retraction from Negi—remains subject to ongoing civil adjudication.
Origins of the Plagiarism Dispute: 'Aasmani' vs. 'Prabha'
The controversy emerged earlier this year over perceived thematic overlaps between the two filmmakers' projects:
The Core Overlap Claim: Negi, an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), alleged that Gupta’s 2026 short-fiction film Aasmani mirrored elements of her uncompleted documentary project, Prabha—both centered on an elderly woman and a vintage car.
Screenwriters Association (SWA) Complaint: Negi lodged a formal complaint before the SWA in April 2026.
The "Statement of Support" Controversy: According to Gupta’s legal plea, while SWA proceedings were still active, Negi circulated an open “Statement of Support” across film industry circles, WhatsApp groups, and social platforms, collecting over 250 signatures from fraternity members. Gupta pointed out that most signatories had neither watched Aasmani nor previewed Negi's unreleased documentary footage.
Festival Fallout: Gupta's petition further highlighted that defamatory emails were sent directly to programming committees of international film festivals where Aasmani was officially selected, leading to its sudden withdrawal from the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand and causing demonstrable professional harm.
Trade Verdict:
The Mumbai Civil Court’s interim injunction provides crucial legal breathing room for Sayani Gupta as she transitions from leading actor to writer-director. By ordering takedowns on social media and restraining unadjudicated smear campaigns while the dispute remains sub judice, the court's order sets a firm precedent against public trials before industry tribunals or courts have concluded their factual inquiries.
