The Bombay High Court has refused to lift the stay on the release of the film Shaadi Ke Director Karan aur Johar, ruling that its title prima facie infringes upon filmmaker Karan Johar’s personality rights.
Justice RI Chagla, presiding as a single-judge, declined the plea by the film’s makers to vacate the interim relief, reaffirming that there was a strong prima facie case of personality rights violation. As a result, the Court made its earlier stay order permanent.
Previously, the Court had restrained the filmmakers from using the name ‘Karan Johar’ in the title or promotional material, emphasizing that such usage could mislead audiences into believing Johar was associated with the project. The stay was initially granted in favor of Johar on June 13, 2024, following his legal challenge against the film’s producers, IndiaPride Advisory, along with writer Sanjay Singh and director Bablu Singh.
Johar argued that the title unlawfully incorporated his name, violating his personality and fundamental rights. The Court found merit in his contention, observing that the inclusion of the words ‘Karan’ and ‘Johar,’ in conjunction with ‘Director,’ created a misleading impression of his involvement with the film.
In June 2024, the Court had observed:
“The Defendants are thus creating confusion in the minds of the public at large that the subject film is associated with the Plaintiff as the general public will identify and associate the use of the Plaintiff’s name ‘Karan Johar’ with the title of the subject film solely upon becoming aware of the subject film.”
At the time, the judge had allowed the filmmakers to approach the Court again if necessary. However, on Friday, the Court dismissed their request to vacate the stay, making the interim relief permanent until Johar’s suit is fully adjudicated.
Senior Advocate Zal Andhyarujina, assisted by advocates Rashmin Khandekar, Shayan Bisney, Parag Khandhar, Tapan Radkar, Krupa Yagnik, Pramita Saboo, and Anaheeta Verma from DSK Legal, represented Karan Johar.
Advocate Ashok Saraogi, along with advocates Anand Mishra, Sushil Upadhyay, Amit Dubey, and Siddharth Singh, appeared for Sanjay Singh.
