Chandigarh Court Halts Release of Actress Sonam Bajwa’s Film ‘Pitt Siyapa’ Over Copyright Row
A writer claims the film’s story mirrors his 2021-registered script, while the production also faces separate allegations of unauthorised shooting inside a mosque
Punjabi actress Sonam Bajwa’s upcoming film Pitt Siyapa has run into serious legal trouble after a Chandigarh court placed a stay order on its release following a copyright infringement complaint filed by a writer who alleges the film is based on his original script.
Writer Rajan Nandan has claimed that the film’s storyline bears a striking resemblance to a script he wrote and officially registered in 2021. According to Nandan, it was only on 27 March 2026 — when the film’s promotional trailer was made public — that he first noticed the similarities between his work and the production. He subsequently issued a legal notice to the parties associated with the film on 1 April 2026, and when the matter was not resolved, he approached the Chandigarh court with a formal copyright petition.
Following an initial hearing, the court granted a stay on the film’s release, effectively blocking it from reaching cinemas for the time being. The next date of hearing has been fixed for 28 April 2026, when the court is expected to decide on further proceedings in the matter.
The copyright dispute, however, is not the only controversy surrounding Pitt Siyapa. The film had earlier attracted criticism over its shooting practices when Punjab’s Shahi Imam Mohammad Usman Ludhianvi raised strong objections, describing the crew’s conduct as having “crossed all limits of disrespect.” The Shahi Imam filed a complaint with the SSP of Fatehgarh, alleging that scenes were filmed inside a mosque during nighttime hours without permission.
The complaint further stated that food and beverages were consumed within the mosque premises during the shoot — a practice considered a serious violation of religious sanctity. The Imam pointed out that a notice prohibiting filming was clearly displayed outside the mosque, yet the crew allegedly continued shooting despite being asked to stop. He also noted that the mosque falls under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Department, adding an administrative dimension to the religious objection.
With the court stay now in place and the next hearing days away, the film’s release timeline remains uncertain as its makers face scrutiny on two separate fronts.
