Sayani Gupta has denied all the claims against her, calling them untrue and defamatory. The actress stated that copyright law protects original expression rather than generic ideas. In a major legal development, the actor-turned-filmmaker has filed a Rs 9 crore defamation suit against the filmmaker Vinita Negi before the Mumbai City Civil Court, alleging that it concerns her directorial debut short film Aasmani.
The dispute stems from allegations by FTII alumna and filmmaker Vinita Negi, who alleged copyright infringement and breach of trust against Sayani Gupta. She also accused Sayani’s short film Aasmani of plagiarizing her unfinished documentary Prabha, claiming that both projects feature an older woman and a car.
Sayani denied the claims, and her plea argued that, “The mere presence of an elderly woman, a car, a driver or any other generic element in a creative work does not confer upon Negi a monopoly over such ideas or concepts.”
Sayani’s appeal stated that the filmmaker Vinita reached out to the screenwriters association in April 2026 with a complaint. But while the proceedings in the matter were still pending, Vinita circulated a statement of support that received more than 250 signatures from the film fraternity.
Sayani alleged that Vinita’s action resulted in professional damage, including Aasmani’s withdrawal from the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand (TIFFNZ). Further, the actress sought 9 crore in damages alone, along with directions to Meta, Reddit, and Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited to remove allegedly defamatory content about her. She also demanded an unconditional apology and public retraction from the filmmaker.
The Mumbai City Civil Court strictly prohibited Vinita Negi from publishing or circulating any further defamatory content against Sayani. Also, it directed Meta Platforms, Reddit, and media houses to immediately take down the offending posts on September 3, 2026.
