The Bombay High Court has halted the release of the film ‘Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar,’ ruling that the title and content violate filmmaker Karan Johar’s personality rights and privacy.
According to Hindustan Times, the court observed that the movie’s name could mislead the public into believing Karan Johar was associated with it, thereby infringing on his brand value.
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Justice R.I. Chagla, presiding over the case, stated that using Karan Johar’s name in the film without his consent amounted to a violation of his personality and publicity rights. The filmmaker had approached the court in June 2024, seeking to restrain the film’s producers, Indiapride Advisory Pvt Ltd, from using his name and profession in any manner. He argued that his identity was being exploited to promote the film without authorization.
Karan Johar had initially issued a cease-and-desist notice to the filmmakers on June 6, 2024, demanding that they remove any reference to him. However, after receiving no response, he moved to court, alleging that the movie not only misused his name but also contained defamatory insinuations about him. He further pointed out that the film had been classified as an adult-category production, which, if linked to him, could tarnish his public image.
The court had placed a stay on the film’s release on June 13, 2024. However, in December 2024, Indiapride Advisory Pvt Ltd filed a countersuit seeking to lift the injunction. Advocate Ashok M. Saraogi, representing the defendants, argued that Karan Johar had deliberately delayed legal action to obstruct the film’s release at the last moment. He also claimed that the filmmakers had not directly used Karan Johar’s name and were willing to make modifications if necessary.
In response, Karan Johar contended that the filmmakers had full knowledge of the legal proceedings but still proceeded with their release plans. He asserted that the defendant’s actions were a clear breach of his personality rights and an attempt to capitalize on his goodwill.
On Friday, the Bombay High Court ruled in Karan Johar’s favor, granting a permanent injunction against the film’s release. The court emphasized that unauthorized use of Karan Johar’s name, even with minor alterations, still amounted to a violation of his rights. It further stated that mere modifications to the film were insufficient to prevent public confusion.
