Hyderabad: A case has been registered against filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma at the Raidurgam police station in Hyderabad following a complaint filed by former IPS officer Anjana Sinha (1990 batch). The complaint alleges unauthorized use of her name, designation, and career details in the web series ‘Dhahanam’, produced by RGV and directed by Agasthya Manju.
Allegations of Unauthorized Identity Use
In her official complaint, Anjana Sinha, currently serving as the Director of the National Industrial Security Academy (NISA), Hyderabad, stated that her professional identity and personal details were used without her consent in the production of the series. She emphasized that she had no prior interaction with the filmmakers and had not granted any permission to use her name or likeness.
“The use of my name and profile for commercial gain, without consent, is a serious violation of my rights,” she stated.
Police Action and Investigation
The Hyderabad Police acted on the complaint and have registered a case under relevant sections. Officials at the Raidurgam police station confirmed the registration of the FIR and noted that an investigation is currently underway to ascertain the facts and possible legal violations by the creators of the web series.
About the Web Series ‘Dhahanam’
‘Dhahanam’ is a crime drama web series produced by Ram Gopal Varma, a filmmaker known for controversial yet path-breaking films. The series is directed by Agasthya Manju. While it features fictionalized content, the use of real names and identifiable profiles has now landed the makers in legal trouble.
Profile of Anjana Sinha
Anjana Sinha is a 1990-batch IPS officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre. She served as the Inspector General in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and as the Director of the National Industrial Security Academy (NISA) in Hyderabad.
Educational Background:
- B.A. in History from Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi
- M.A. from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
- MBA in Public Policy from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
Chevening Scholar in Peacekeeping and International Capacity Building from University of Bradford, UK
Career Highlights:
- Held the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in Andhra Pradesh
- Appointed in 2016 to focus on crimes against women in the state
- Applied for Central Government deputation in 2016 and 2017
- Currently on deputation to the Central Government with the CISF
Larger Implications for Content Creators
This case raises questions about intellectual property rights, personal identity misuse, and legal boundaries in the digital content creation space. The matter may set a precedent on how filmmakers portray real-life individuals in fictionalized narratives.
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