DSK Legal Represented Karan Johar At The Bombay High Court against Hindi Film 'Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar'

DSK Legal Represented Karan Johar At The Bombay High Court against Hindi Film 'Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar'

Bollywood Director Karan Johar has filed a Suit before the Bombay High Court against the Defendants, IndiaPride Advisory Pvt. Ltd. (Defendant No. 1), Mr. Sanjay Singh (Defendant No. 2) and Mr. Bablu Singh (Defendant No. 3), inter-alia, seeking a permanent injunction restraining the Defendants from using the name and personality of the Plaintiff in the title of the cinematographic film “Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar” / “Shaadi Ke Director Karan Johar” (“said Film”), co-produced by Defendant No. 1 and Defendant No. 2 and written and directed by Defendant No. 3.

DSK Legal represented Karan Johar.

It was stated before the Court that he has no relation with the said film whatsoever and Defendants are unlawfully/unauthorizedly using the name of Plaintiff in the title of the said film. It was further claimed that by by utilizing his 'brand name' without authorization, the creators were capitalizing on his positive reputation and goodwill, which is legally not permissible.

It was stated in the suit that, Trailer of the said Film have been released in the public domain, inter-alia, on the social media platforms YouTube and Instagram, and posters of the said Film are being displayed in public areas in Mumbai. It is the Plaintiff’s case that these trailers and posters have caused and are continuing to cause irreparable loss and damage to the goodwill and reputation of the Plaintiff. Further, that such release of the said Film with the title containing the Plaintiff’s brand name “Karan Johar” together or in parts, will cause irreparable loss and damage to the goodwill and reputation of the Plaintiff, which he has gained after investing huge amounts of time, effort and money.

It is the Plaintiff’s case that the title of the said Film directly makes reference to the Plaintiff’s name and thereby violates the Plaintiff’s rights inter alia personality rights, right to publicity and right to privacy, which are, inter-alia protected under law. It is the Plaintiff’s case that the Defendants’ are unauthorizedly using the brand name of the Plaintiff i.e. “Karan Johar” and are thereby riding upon the goodwill and reputation of the Plaintiff, which is not permissible in law.

The said Film is scheduled to be released in theatres / cinemas on June 14, 2024.

The Plaintiff sought a permanent injunction restraining the Defendants from releasing the said Film on any mode or medium whatsoever or running any promotional materials in relation to the said Film on any mode or social media platform, including but not limited to, the said Trailers, until the Defendants remove the name of Plaintiff “Karan Johar”, together or in parts, from title of the said Film.

The Plaintiff further sought removal of his name from promotions from all social media platforms/mode or medium including Instagram and YouTube.

Justice R. I. Chagla listed the case on June 13, 2024, for hearing of ad-interim/interim reliefs.

The DSK Legal team comprised of Parag Khandhar (Partner), Chandrima Mitra (Partner) and Pranita Saboo (Senior Associate) and Anaheeta Verma.