'Deeply Unfair': Sayani Gupta DENIES Copyright Allegations After Directorial Debut Aasmani Pulled From New Zealand Film Festival

Actress Sayani Gupta has responded to the copyright allegations surrounding her short film Aasmani, which was to be her directorial debut, after the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand (TIFFNZ) withdrew its invitation to screen the film. Calling the situation "deeply unfair," Gupta maintained that Aasmani is an original work and explained why she had previously chosen not to speak publicly about the allegations.

In an interview with Hollywood Reporter India, Gupta explained that her silence did not signify acceptance or that she held no position on the matter. She stated that she had raised the issue with the appropriate authorities and believed the facts should be presented there rather than through social media platforms or public debate. Gupta emphasized that silence can sometimes allow "noise" to overshadow the truth.

The allegations against Gupta were raised by a fellow filmmaker from FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) in connection with an unfinished documentary project. Gupta acknowledged that the filmmaker had every right to raise a grievance but maintained that she had respectfully stood by her version of events. She noted that the claim was based on assumptions and that the filmmaker had not seen her short-fiction comedy film.

Gupta further emphasized that she had no knowledge of the other filmmaker's unfinished documentary project.