Netflix denies copying filmmaker Soham Shah's Luck for Squid Game: 'This claim has no merit'

Netflix denies plagiarism accusation

In a surprising twist, filmmaker Soham Shah has filed a lawsuit against streaming giant Netflix, accusing the platform of plagiarizing his 2009 film Luck to create the global phenomenon Squid Game. Soham Shah’s allegations also extend to the show's creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk. The lawsuit claims that the core concept of Squid Game—a deadly competition where contestants fight for a growing jackpot—bears a striking resemblance to the plot of Luck.

Netflix has responded to the lawsuit, firmly denying any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the streaming platform stated, “This claim has no merit. Squid Game was created by and written by Hwang Dong Hyuk, and we intend to defend this matter vigorously.”

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, Soham Shah alleges that Luck featured a group of contestants playing deadly games to win a massive prize, with the jackpot increasing as players die. Similarly, in Squid Game, desperate contestants compete in childhood games with fatal consequences, with the prize money growing as participants are eliminated. Soham Shah claims to have developed his story in or around 2006, with Luck released in July 2009 in India, the UK, the US, and the UAE. He points out that Hwang Dong-hyuk has stated that he wrote Squid Game in the same year, raising suspicions of plagiarism.

Luck, starring Bollywood names such as Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan, and Shruti Haasan, wasn’t a massive hit but did receive attention for its high-stakes premise. Soham Shah contends that the similarities between his film and Squid Game are too significant to be coincidental, leading him to file the lawsuit.

ALSO READ: Tumbbad re-release smashes records, grosses Rs 1.65 crore on opening day

Netflix and Hwang Dong-hyuk are expected to contest these claims, setting the stage for a potentially complex legal battle. This lawsuit adds to Netflix’s legal challenges, following a recent $170 million suit over its Emmy-nominated show Baby Reindeer. In that case, Fiona Harvey claims the show falsely presents events as a "true story," leading to a trial scheduled for May 2025.

ALSO READ: Thalapathy Vijay surpasses Shah Rukh Khan, becomes India's highest-paid actor at Rs 275 crore for Thalapathy 69

With Squid Game having garnered widespread acclaim and winning major awards, the outcome of Soham Shah’s lawsuit could have significant implications for both the streaming platform and the creators involved.