The Bombay High Court has issued an interim order barring the release of the movie “Shaadi ke Director Karan aur Johar” due to the unauthorized use of renowned filmmaker Karan Johar’s name and personal attributes. This decision was reached on Thursday, highlighting the court’s stance on the protection of fundamental rights and personality rights, which were deemed to be violated in this case.
Justice R I Chagla, presiding over the single bench, mandated that the makers of the movie must eliminate all references to Karan Johar’s name and personal attributes from both the title and the content of the film before it can be released in any format, including in theaters or on social media platforms. The film, which was slated for a June 14 release, now faces significant delays and possible rebranding or re-editing to comply with the court’s order.
The court found that the makers of “Shaadi ke Director Karan aur Johar” were ostensibly targeting Karan Johar. The usage of his name and personal attributes without his consent was deemed a violation of his fundamental rights and personality rights. In response, Karan Johar sought a permanent injunction and a restraining order against the film’s producers, IndiaPride Advisory, Sanjay Singh, and the writer-director Bablu Singh.
Representing Johar, counsel Zal Andhyarjuna argued that the unauthorized use of the filmmaker’s name was driven by a malicious intent to achieve undue and unlawful gain. In the plea filed through DSK Legal, it was stressed that the defendants were capitalizing on Johar’s well-established goodwill and reputation without permission. The court, siding with Johar’s arguments, underscored that the movie’s title, which prominently includes the word “director” alongside the names Karan and Johar, unequivocally refers to the celebrated filmmaker.
Justice Chagla remarked that upon watching the trailer, it was evident that the names Karan and Johar were not referring to different individuals but rather targeting the same person—Karan Johar. His celebrity status, backed by numerous box office successes as both a director and producer, was a key consideration in the court’s interim decision. The court emphasized that unauthorized use of a person’s name or personal attributes without consent is a direct violation of their fundamental rights.
“One cannot use a person’s name without his or her permission.
. That is violative of their fundamental rights,” stated Justice Chagla. The judge highlighted the necessity of protecting Johar’s personality rights, especially given his notable impact on the Bollywood industry and his role in launching many actors’ careers. The court held a prima facie belief that the movie directly referenced Johar and unlawfully utilized his name, which necessitated immediate intervention to prevent further violation of his rights.
A significant aspect of the court’s decision was the defendants’ apparent disregard for the legal process. Despite being notified, the filmmakers failed to present themselves or contest Johar’s claims, further solidifying the court’s stance against them. “It is obvious from the defendants’ conduct that they have not bothered to contest the claims made by Karan Johar as well as appear before this court,” noted the High Court.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on July 10, allowing the defendants an opportunity to present their case if they choose to do so. Meanwhile, the court’s interim order ensures that any version of the film containing references to Karan Johar’s name or personal attributes will be prohibited from release, maintaining the protection of Johar’s rights and reputation.
The case highlights the ongoing tensions in the film industry regarding the use of personal identities and the importance of obtaining proper permissions. It also serves as a reminder of the significant legal recourse available to celebrities to protect their names and personas from unauthorized exploitation.
The Bombay High Court’s decisive action underscores the importance of respecting individual rights and following legal protocols, especially in a domain where reputation and personal attributes play a pivotal role. As the case progresses, it will be closely watched for its implications on future content creation and intellectual property rights within the film industry.
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