Reported Dispute Between Excel Entertainment and Ranveer Singh Over Exit from Don 3
Following the success of Dhurandhar, reports state that Ranveer Singh has exit Don 3, although no official confirmation has been issued by the actor. The reported reason for the exit was creative differences with the director, Farhan Akhtar. It has further been reported that Excel Entertainment is seeking compensation of Rs 40 crore from the actor after his departure from the project. A report claims that Excel Entertainment has begun downsizing and attributing an alleged financial setback of Rs 40 crore to the actor’s exit, while the actor has reportedly disputed any obligation to pay compensation. It is further reported that the parties held a prolonged meeting to resolve the dispute, but no conclusion was reached.
You can read more about it here.
MeitY Notifies 2026 Amendment to Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules Following Public Consultation
On 22 October 2025, MeitY had published draft amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules for public consultation, noting that comments received would not be publicly disclosed and would be held in a fiduciary capacity. On 10 February 2026, MeitY notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026, along with FAQs. The amendments extend beyond synthetically generated information and, while addressing some concerns raised by civil society, also introduce additional issues examined in a clause by clause review. The rules will come into effect on 20 February 2026.
The amendments introduce stricter obligations relating to synthetically generated information, including rapid takedown within three hours of knowledge of unlawful content, use of technical measures to prevent illegal AI generated content, mandatory labelling and disclosures, preservation of metadata, and restrictions on tampering with identifiers. Significant social media intermediaries and online gaming intermediaries must obtain user declarations, verify such declarations, and label AI generated content before publication, failing which the intermediary may be treated as having not complied with due diligence requirements.
You can access the notification here.
Madras High Court Grants Interim Anti Piracy Injunction for Film ‘ORomeo’
The Madras High Court granted an interim anti piracy injunction restraining internet service providers and cable television operators from any unauthorized broadcast, transmission, or dissemination of the film prior to its theatrical release, observing that pre release piracy causes immediate and irreversible financial and commercial harm. The Court also noted that broad John Doe or dynamic injunctions may adversely affect the legitimate business interests of intermediaries and service providers.
To balance these interests, the Court made the injunction conditional upon the producer furnishing an indemnity undertaking to compensate respondents for any legitimate business losses arising from enforcement of the order. The relief was granted in a civil suit filed by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, while a Mumbai Court recently rejected an interim application seeking to restrain the film’s release.
You can read more about it here.
Ad Interim Ex Parte Injunction Granted in Defamation Suit Filed by Karan Johar
A Mumbai Court granted an ad interim ex parte order in favour of filmmaker Karan Johar in a defamation suit against YouTuber Ajey Nagar and other defendants, finding a prima facie case regarding the use of vulgar and abusive language in digital content. The Court directed Ajey Nagar to refrain from publishing defamatory, vulgar, and abusive content about the filmmaker and ordered social media platforms, including Meta, to remove existing videos targeting him. The suit also names Nagar’s manager, One Hand Clap Media Pvt Ltd, Google, and Meta as defendants. Despite submissions that the material had already been deleted, the Court held that prima facie defamatory statements had been made and granted a temporary injunction. The matter is scheduled for further hearing at a later date.
You can read more about it here.
Legal Action Initiated by Allu Arjun Over Viral Podcast Claims
Allu Arjun has initiated legal action against brand manager Kaveri Baruah following viral claims about an alleged list of “dos and don’ts” for meeting him. The controversy arose after a podcast clip in which Baruah described a past professional interaction and stated that a note containing 42 instructions was received prior to the meeting. The clip circulated widely online and triggered backlash, after which Baruah deleted her social media profiles. The legal action follows the public circulation of these statements.
You can read more about it here.
Supreme Court Questions Film Title ‘Ghooskhor Pandat‘ and Seeks Affidavit From Filmmaker
The Supreme Court observed that a film title should not denigrate a section of society while hearing a plea seeking a stay on the OTT release of the film Ghooskhor Pandat. The Court issued notices to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification, and the filmmaker, and stated that the film would not be allowed to release unless the title is changed. The Court directed the filmmaker to file an affidavit stating that the film does not denigrate any section of society. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on February 19.
You can read more about it here.
Supreme Court Encourages Recognition in Dispute Over Song From Ponniyin Selvan II
The Supreme Court urged music composer AR Rahman to acknowledge the contribution of Dhrupad vocalist Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar in relation to the song Veera Raja Veera, observing that the issue involved recognition beyond legal rights. The Court noted that the originality of the tune is undisputed and that the dispute concerns authorship, while suggesting that the matter could have been amicably resolved through mediation in light of the shared heritage of the Dhrupad tradition. The dispute arises from a Delhi High Court decision setting aside an interim injunction previously granted to Dagar in his copyright infringement suit alleging use of his composition Shiva Stuti in the film Ponniyin Selvan II. The division bench allowed Rahman’s appeal and had earlier stayed the interim injunction granted in the suit.
You can read more about it here.
Complaint Filed by Christian Organization Over Teaser of Film Toxic Ahead of Release
A Christian organisation has filed a complaint with the CBFC, Film Chamber of Commerce, and state authorities alleging that the teaser of the film Toxic hurts religious sentiments. The complaint objects to scenes featuring Archangel Michael and a sequence showing a sex scene inside a car parked outside a cemetery followed by a violent shootout, with the cemetery depicted with religious symbols. The organisation has sought removal of the objectionable portions and takedown of the promotional content. The teaser had earlier drawn criticism from the Women’s Commission over depiction of a sex scene and a separate complaint alleging outrage of modesty. The backlash led to the actor appearing in the teaser deleting her Instagram account.
You can read more about it here.
Criminal Complaint Filed by PPL Over Alleged Unauthorised Use of Songs at Bigg Boss 19 success party event
Phonographic Performance Limited has filed a criminal complaint against Endemol Shine India alleging unauthorised public performance of songs at the Bigg Boss 19 success party held on December 12, 2025. The complaint seeks registration of an FIR under Sections 51, 63, and 69 of the Copyright Act, 1957, alleging wilful infringement for use of multiple songs without obtaining the mandatory performance licence.
The songs cited include Make Some Noise, You Are My Soniya, and Dus Bahane, whose public performance rights are administered by PPL. The complaint states that the songs were utilised without proper authorisation and that a formal complaint has been lodged with the police regarding the alleged unauthorised use.
You can read more about it here.
No Interim Restraint on OTT Release of ‘Parasakthi’
The Madras High Court refused to halt the OTT release of the film ‘Parasakthi’ in a plagiarism suit filed by an assistant director alleging that the story was copied from his work titled Semmozhi. The petitioner sought an interim stay on the digital release, but the Court declined to grant any restraining order and listed the matter for hearing on February 9, 2026. The producers stated that the anti Hindi agitation of 1965 is a historical event belonging to the public and society and cannot be copied, and filed a detailed reply opposing the allegations.
You can read more about it here.
Court Ordered Removal of Audience Reviews and Ratings for ‘O Romeo’
The film O Romeo debuted on BookMyShow with an audience rating that was later removed from the platform, which now states that reviews and ratings are disabled as per ‘a court order’. There has been no public statement from the platform or the film’s makers regarding the reasons for the order. This is reported to be the first instance of a Hindi film approaching court to remove audience reviews and ratings from an online platform, amid concerns over review bombing and allegations of artificial boosting of audience scores.
You can read more about it here.
