Nearly a decade after his heartbreaking story shocked the nation, Dana Majhi, the Kalahandi tribal man who carried his wife’s body on his shoulders after allegedly failing to get an ambulance, is back in the headlines—this time over an alleged unauthorized film based on his life.

The incident, which occurred in 2016, became a symbol of India’s rural healthcare challenges and drew widespread national and international attention. While Dana Majhi’s life has changed significantly since then, he says the painful memories remain fresh.

On Monday, Dana Majhi approached the Patnagarh Police Station along with his lawyer, alleging that a 35-minute documentary portraying his tragedy was made and circulated without his consent. He claimed the film recreated the traumatic events he endured a decade ago, causing him emotional distress.

Before filing the complaint, Dana Majhi and his legal counsel reportedly met at the local court to discuss the matter. The complaint has been lodged against Sambalpuri filmmaker Manoj Bag.

Speaking to the media, Dana Majhi’s lawyer said they have already produced a feature film titled “Dana Majhi: The Tragic Incident,” based on his life, which is awaiting release. According to the lawyer, the production involved more than 400 people and extensively documented not only Dana Majhi’s story but also several other significant incidents from Odisha.

The lawyer alleged that the 35-minute documentary was prepared independently and submitted to various film festivals without obtaining Dana Majhi’s permission. He argued that using Dana Majhi’s personal story without his consent amounts to an infringement of his rights and has caused him mental anguish.

Dana Majhi has requested police to investigate the matter and take appropriate legal action against those responsible for producing and circulating the documentary.

As of now, Manoj Bagh has not issued any public response to the allegations. Police have acknowledged receiving the complaint, and further action is expected after a preliminary inquiry.

Dana Majhi’s 2016 ordeal, in which he walked several kilometres carrying his wife’s body while accompanied by his young daughter, remains one of the most haunting images of poverty and inadequate public healthcare in India. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and renewed debate over healthcare access, ambulance availability, and emergency medical services in remote parts of the country.