Mumbai Court Refuses to Halt OTT Release of Dhurandhar: The Revenge in Copyright Dispute
A Mumbai civil court has refused to halt the OTT release of Dhurandhar: The Revenge, rejecting a writer’s last-minute copyright infringement claim against director Aditya Dhar and other defendants. Writer Santosh Kumar R.S. alleged that the film copied his story and dialogues and sought an injunction against its streaming release. The court held that the plaintiff failed to establish a prima facie case of similarity between the works, noting the absence of any comparative analysis of the scripts or dialogues. It also observed that the film had already been released in December 2025, a sequel had followed, and the plaintiff approached the court only in May 2026 despite being aware of the film earlier. The court further noted that the plaintiff had not disclosed prior proceedings before the Karnataka High Court, indicating a lack of candour. It also found a procedural defect in the suit, as the OTT platform whose release was sought to be restrained had not been impleaded as a party. Holding that the balance of convenience favoured the defendants and that any harm to the plaintiff could be compensated through damages if he ultimately succeeded, the court declined ad-interim relief and allowed the OTT release to proceed while the copyright dispute remains pending.
Delhi High Court Refers Zee–Libas Instagram Music Copyright Dispute to Mediation
Zee Entertainment has approached the Delhi High Court against apparel brand Libas, alleging unauthorised use of copyrighted music in promotional Instagram reels. The company seeks a permanent injunction, damages, and an account of profits. The dispute centres on Libas’s use of songs from Zee Music Company’s catalogue, including Jugraafiya, Lehra Do, Piyu Bole, and Uyi Amma, in marketing content on Instagram. Zee argues that while its music is available on Instagram through its agreement with Meta, such access is limited to personal and non-commercial use. According to Zee, brands using music for advertising or promotional purposes must obtain separate licences from the copyright owner. The court noted that Instagram’s music guidelines place responsibility on users to secure appropriate rights and prohibit commercial use without licensing. It also observed that access to Instagram’s music library does not automatically confer commercial exploitation rights, even for business accounts. Libas contended that its use of music available through Instagram’s platform was permissible under Meta’s terms. However, the court was not persuaded at this stage, particularly in light of Meta’s restrictions on commercial use. During the proceedings, Libas informed the court that it had removed three of the four reels identified by Zee and had also taken down the fourth, though it may remain accessible through a direct link. The company further undertook not to use Zee’s music repertoire on Instagram while the matter is pending. Justice Tushar Rao Gedela referred the parties to mediation to explore a possible commercial resolution.
Black Buck Case-Inspired Film ‘Kala Hiran’ Draws Salman Khan’s Legal Challenge
Bollywood actor Salman Khan has issued a legal notice to the makers of Kala Hiran, a film reportedly inspired by the 1998 black buck poaching case, alleging defamation and a “gross violation” of his personality rights. He has sought an immediate halt to the film’s production, promotion, and release, arguing that the project unlawfully uses his name, persona, and an incident that remains the subject of pending proceedings before the Rajasthan High Court. According to the notice, the film could prejudice his right to a fair trial and interfere with the administration of justice. Khan has also demanded an unconditional written apology, warning of civil and criminal action if the makers fail to comply. The film, directed by Bharat S. Shrinate and produced by Amit Jani, has drawn attention for promotional material featuring a character resembling Khan. Responding publicly, Jani described the legal notice as an attempt at intimidation and asserted that the filmmakers would not be pressured into abandoning the project. The dispute arises against the backdrop of the long-running black buck poaching case linked to Khan, which continues to be heard by the Rajasthan High Court.
Kerala HC Refuses Title-Change Plea in The Kerala Story 2 Row
The Kerala High Court has declined to entertain a PIL seeking a change in the title of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond, observing that related proceedings concerning the film are already pending before another single-judge bench and a division bench. A bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. also expressed strong displeasure over remarks in the petition that allegedly cast aspersions on the division bench that had earlier cleared the way for the film’s release. Questioning the inclusion of such comments, the court criticised both the petitioners and their counsel, who subsequently offered an unconditional apology. The court disposed of the PIL, while granting liberty to the petitioners to file a fresh plea after removing the objectionable portions. The controversy stems from an earlier division bench order that stayed a single judge’s direction suspending the film’s screening for 15 days, thereby permitting its release pending further proceedings.
Bombay High Court Refuses to Halt Release of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai
The Bombay High Court declined an urgent plea to stay the release of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, allowing the film to be released despite an ongoing copyright dispute over the songs “Chunnari Chunnari” and “Ishq Sona Hai.” Justice Farhan P. Dubash refused interim relief sought by Puja Entertainment, which had alleged unauthorized use of the songs and filed a ₹400 crore claim against Tips Industries and others. The Court noted that Puja Entertainment had earlier pursued similar relief before courts in Bihar and had not adequately explained its move to seek fresh relief in Bombay, with respondents arguing that this amounted to forum shopping. Considering the delay in approaching the Court and the film’s imminent large-scale release, the bench declined to interfere, while the underlying copyright dispute remains pending for further adjudication.
Offshore Betting Advertisements Continue to Surge Despite Regulatory Ban, Raising Enforcement Concerns
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has reported a sharp rise in offshore betting advertisements targeting Indian consumers despite the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), which prohibits online money games and related advertising. According to ASCI’s annual complaints report, offshore betting ads increased from an average of 594 advertisements per month before the law came into force to 795 per month afterward, with nearly 7,927 such advertisements identified and escalated during 2025. Offshore betting promotions accounted for over 72% of all advertising violations flagged by ASCI, highlighting the persistent challenge of regulating cross-border digital advertising and enforcing restrictions against entities operating outside India’s jurisdiction. The report underscores growing concerns about consumer protection, online gambling risks, and the effectiveness of existing enforcement mechanisms in the digital advertising ecosystem.
FWICE Withdraws Non-Cooperation Directive Against Ranveer Singh Following Industry Intervention
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has withdrawn its non-cooperation directive against actor Ranveer Singh after mediation efforts by key industry bodies, including the Producers Guild of India, CINTAA, and IMPPA. The directive had been issued following Singh’s reported exit from Don 3, with the film’s producers alleging substantial financial losses. However, the move triggered significant industry pushback, with several stakeholders questioning FWICE’s authority to penalize an actor for a contractual or creative dispute. Following legal action initiated by Singh and discussions among industry associations, FWICE rescinded the directive, emphasizing that the resolution was not a victory for any side but a step toward restoring industry harmony. The episode has reignited debate over the limits of trade body intervention in private contractual disputes and the need for clearer dispute-resolution mechanisms within the entertainment industry.
