India, Sept. 4 -- Actor Sayani Gupta has filed a Rs.9 crore defamation case before the Mumbai City Civil Court against filmmaker Vinita Negi over allegations surrounding her directorial debut, short film Aasmani. An appeal seeking urgent intervention and interim relief was likely to be filed before Additional Sessions Judge Shudhirkumar Murlidharrao Bukke on September 3. The issue began after Negi, an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India, accused Gupta of copyright infringement and breach of trust. Reportedly, Negi alleged that Aasmani was very similar to her unfinished documentary Prabha, and both projects featured an elderly woman and a vintage car in the crux of the story. Gupta has called the allegations false, misleading, unsubstantiated and defamatory in her suit. She argued that copyright law protects original expression rather than broad or abstract ideas. "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," the suit stated. Gupta's plea stated that Negi had approached the Screenwriters Association (SWA) with a complaint in April 2026. While the proceedings were pending, Negi allegedly circulated a 'Statement of Support' on WhatsApp and social media seeking support from members of the film industry. The suit also mentioned that the campaign received more than 250 signatures. Gupta also cited that the controversy had resulted in professional damage, including the withdrawal of Aasmani from the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand (TIFFNZ). The actor has now asked for Rs.9 crores in damages and an unconditional apology and public retraction from Negi. HTC...