Due to copyright concerns: Indian movie invited for screening at NZ filmfest suddenly becomes uninvited
10 September 2026
Indian short film Aasmani was slated for screening at The Indian Film Festival of New Zealand (TIFFNZ) upon invitation by the organizers, only for said invitation to be withdrawn later on.
Concerns over allegations of copyright infringement and confidentiality forced TIFFNZ authorities to cancel the film’s screening during the festival, which will run from October 23 to 25, 2026, in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. According to reports, the cancellation was implemented only as a precautionary move.
Documentary filmmaker Vinita Negi alleged that Aasmani, whose story revolves around an old woman, her granddaughter and their blue car, heavily borrowed elements or ideas from her own unfinished work titled Prabha. The documentary also features an old woman and a vintage car.
Aasmani director and co-producer Sayani Gupta denied the accusation, maintaining that her short film is original.
Akshata Kamath | an associate partner @ Krishnamurthy & Co., Bengaluru
“The withdrawal of the invitation, by itself, should not be construed as establishing the allegations made against the film or its filmmakers, which is also reaffirmed by the festival as per reports,” said Akshata Kamath, an associate partner at Krishnamurthy & Co. in Bengaluru.
In April 2026, Negi lodged a complaint before the Screenwriters Association (SWA), accusing Aasmani’s filmmakers of copyright infringement and breach of trust. Not long after, a Statement of Support for Negi appeared on WhatsApp and on social media.
Gupta then filed a defamation suit against Negi before a Mumbai court.
“As of date, there does not appear to be any judicial determination on the merits of the allegations of copyright infringement, plagiarism or breach of trust or confidence in relation to Aasmani,” Kamath noted.
The Mumbai City Civil Court recently granted interim relief to Gupta. However, it clarified that Negi had every right to take legal action and may publish content based on facts.
“The interim order, however, does not appear to adjudicate upon the underlying allegations of copyright infringement, plagiarism or breach of trust or confidence. The complaint reportedly filed by Vinita Negi before the SWA is also understood to remain pending. Accordingly, the substantive allegations underlying the dispute appear to remain unresolved at this stage,” Kamath said.
According to her, this incident proves that robust documentation is critical throughout the creative process. “This includes appropriate non-disclosure agreements and confidentiality undertakings, contemporaneous records of the creative process and documentation establishing ownership and provenance. Such records help in protecting confidential information and in establishing the origin, development and ownership of creative works, particularly where allegations of plagiarism or unauthorized use subsequently arise.”
- Espie Angelica A. de Leon
