The Bombay High Court on Tuesday ruled an ad interim stay on the of Kunal Kohli's film, Phir Se. Writer Jyoti Kapoor had moved court alleging that the movie is based on her script, which she had narrated to Kohli in January 2013. Through media reports last year, Jyoti found similarities in Kohli's movie and her script and accused him of plagiarism. While he denied her claims, she went to court this February. Jyoti said, “After I went to the Film Writers Association and the Dispute Settlement Committee ruled in my favour, it wasn't easy. So I went to court. I know a lot of my writer friends have gone through this, but not everyone has the wherewithal to go to court.“

When contacted Kunal said, “What I have learnt from this experience is free exchange of ideas is no longer permissible. I'd go a step further and say that it is prohibited. Debate on copyright n plagiarism is settled, it is neither. The industry has to move towards a more close and protective environment with regards to work in progress.What is left to be decided is merely one principle aspect; what is value of an idea that should be in direct proportion to authorship?“