Kannada actor and filmmaker Rakshit Shetty finds himself in legal hot water once again. Yeshwanthpur police recently registered a case of copyright violation under Section 63 of the Copyright Act, 1957, against Shetty and his production house, Paramvah Studios. This case stems from the unauthorized use of two Kannada songs in the film Bachelor Party, which was produced by his company and released on January 26, 2024.
The complaint was filed by Naveen Kumar M, a partner and authorized signatory of MRT Music. According to the complaint, Naveen’s company holds the rights to the songs in question. Naveen alleges that Shetty had approached MRT Music for permission to use the title track Nyaya Ellide and Omme Ninnannu (from Gaali Maathu) for Bachelor Party earlier this year, but the request was denied. Despite this, these songs were incorporated into the film.
Naveen became aware of the unauthorized usage after watching Bachelor Party on Amazon Prime Video. He swiftly took legal action, leading to the FIR against Rakshit Shetty and Paramvah Studios.
This incident adds another chapter to Shetty’s occasional brushes with the law. The Sapta Sagaradaache Ello actor has faced similar issues in the past. He was embroiled in a four-year-long legal dispute with Lahari Velu, the director of Lahari Music, over another instance of alleged copyright violation. This previous case involved Shetty’s production house, Paramvah Studios, during the release of the Rishab Shetty-directed film Kirik Party in 2016.
In that case, Velu accused Paramvah Studios of lifting interludes from the song Madhya Rathrili, a famous track from V Ravichandran’s 1991 film Shanthi Kranthi, for their song Hey who are you. Lahari Music, which owned the rights to the song from Shanthi Kranthi, also filed a copyright infringement case against Kirik Party’s music composer, Ajaneesh Lokanath.
The disagreement between the parties eventually led to a compromise in 2021, facilitated by Vijay Kiragandur, the owner of Hombale Films. But Rakshit Shetty’s legal battles seem far from over, as this new case reopens the discussion about intellectual property rights in the Kannada film industry.
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Copyright laws are stringent and clear in India. The Copyright Act, 1957, outlines that any unauthorized use of copyrighted material without permission from the rightful owner is punishable by law. Section 63, specifically, deals with penalties for such violations, which could include imprisonment for a term that may extend to three years and fines that could go up to two lakh rupees. In severe cases, the penalties could be even harsher.
The controversy surrounding Shetty and his production house shines a light on the broader issue of copyright violations within the Indian film industry. Unlawful usage of songs and scripts has been a contentious issue for years, with numerous high-profile cases making headlines. This case serves as another reminder of the necessity for filmmakers to respect intellectual property laws and secure proper permissions to avoid legal ramifications.
Rakshit Shetty, known for his significant contributions to Kannada cinema, has yet to publicly respond to the allegations. His fans and the general public await his statement and the reaction from Paramvah Studios. The legal and entertainment communities are also watching closely, as outcomes could set precedents for similar cases in the future.
The case has sparked discussions not just about copyright laws but also about the ethical responsibilities of filmmakers and producers. The use of others’ creative work without permission not only infringes legal boundaries but also raises questions about moral conduct in the industry.
Bachelor Party was anticipated as a significant release for its ensemble cast and storyline. However, this recent legal turmoil has shifted the focus from its cinematic achievements to the alleged copyright violations. The unfolding legal proceedings will decide the fate of Rakshit Shetty and his production house concerning these serious accusations.
As the story continues to develop, industry stakeholders are keen on following the updates, knowing that the judgment could influence future dealings and practices around intellectual property in Indian cinema, particularly within the Kannada film sector. For now, the situation serves as a crucial reminder of the significance of adhering to copyright laws.
