3 weeks ago
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Filmmaker Karan Johar has found himself in middle of controvery yet again but this time for not so right reasons. In a notable legal development, the Bombay High Court has recently ruled to maintain a stay on the release of the film titled ‘Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar’, citing a violation of Karan Johar’s personality rights.
Why is stay imposed on Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar movie release?
During the hearing, Justice Riyaz Chagla noted that the film’s title appeared to infringe upon Johar’s identity and publicity rights. The court, in its ruling, emphasized that the title of the film could cause confusion and mislead audiences. It suggested that it was associated with Johar’s persona in an inappropriate or misleading manner. “A strong prima facie case has been made out by the Plaintiff (Johar) that the Respondents (filmmakers) have infringed the Plaintiff’s personality and publicity rights as well as use of the brand name of the Plaintiff. The balance of convenience is in favour of the Plaintiff and that irreparable injury would cause to the Plaintiff in the event interim relief is not granted by this Court,” the judge said.
Karan Johar took legal action in June 2024 against the film’s producers, IndiaPride Advisory, along with writer Sanjay Singh and director Bablu Singh. He contended that the title unfairly exploited his name, infringing upon his personality and fundamental rights. On June 13, 2024, the High Court imposed a stay, pointing out that the combination of ‘Karan’ and ‘Johar’ with ‘Director’ could mislead audiences into believing he was involved in the project.
In December 2024, Indiapride Advisory challenged the ruling by filing a countersuit, requesting the ban be lifted. Their legal representative, Advocate Ashok M. Saraogi, claimed that Johar had strategically delayed his petition to disrupt the film’s launch. In response to the countersuit, Karan reaffirmed that the producers were fully aware of the legal dispute yet proceeded with their promotional efforts.
Delivering its final verdict, the court ruled in favor of Johar, issuing a permanent injunction against the film’s release. The bench concluded that the unauthorized use of his identity breached his personality rights, right to publicity, and privacy protections.
