Is there any rule to get signed consent from characters while doing biography movies?

I recently watched Dangal (Indian Movie about wrestling) and in that movie, coach "Pramod Kadam" (Character name: "coach from NSA/NIS") was characterised as a negative role. Later I heard that "PR Sondhi" (Assumed real name of character "Pramod Kadam") was upset about how he was characterised in that movie.

So before doing a movie like Dangal, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story or Sachin: A Billion Dreams, do the film makers contact all main characters and get a signed consent after showing the screenplay (at least their part in the movie?).

Is there any rule to get signed consent from all real life characters while doing biography movies? (If possible I want specific answer about Indian movies).

If there is any such rule, was PR Sondhi not properly informed about the character to increase the dramatic content in the movie?

If there is no such rule, can this be exploited just like the above example for the reach of the movie?

indian-cinema biopic

Best Answer

In the United States, anyway, there's 'legal' and 'what you can get away with.' It's not like the police will arrest a filmmaker for using a slightly fictionalized version of a real person. The producers do, however, run the risk of getting sued for defamation or libel by that real person. Then, if the real-life person DOES sue them for defamation, he/she has to prove it was really based on him/her to the satisfaction of a jury.

Here's an interesting article about libel laws and fictionalized characters: http://www.copylaw.com/new_articles/real_people_in_fiction.html

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Do you have to get permission to make a biopic?

It is absolutely legal for people to write unauthorized biographies, make documentaries or dramas about someone without needing their permission. You do not need permission to portray a real person in a work of art such as a book or movie - this happens all the time.

Can you make a documentary about someone without their permission in India?

No. But is is common business practice to get permission or even pay for the right to create and produce the story. Cases such as these are usually handled in Civil Court.

Can you make a movie about a celebrity?

The general consensus is that famous people, especially, have many defenses against their brand or their story being portrayed on film without their permission. Therefore, yes, you should seek permission before you decide to portray a famous person in your film.

Can anyone make a movie?

Anyone, yes anyone, can produce, write or direct a feature film if they lose their naivety (It's called \u201cShow Business\u201d\u2026 It is not called \u201cShow Art\u201d) and become realistic.

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media | Feature Film

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