Bombay High Court upholds stay on release of ‘Shaadi Ke Director Karan aur Johar’ movie

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to lift the stay on the release of the film 'Shaadi Ke Director Karan aur Johar', holding that the movie’s title prima facie infringes filmmaker Karan Johar’s personality and publicity rights [Karan Johar v India Pride Advisory and Ors]..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice MS Karnik confirmed the stay order passed by single-judge Justice RI Chagla in March this year and rejected the appeal filed by the film's makers seeking to vacate the interim order.After the pronouncement of the order, the film makers sought permission to release the movie with an updated title. However, the Court directed them to approach the single judge with any such requests..The Court had earlier restrained the film’s makers from using the name ‘Karan Johar’ in its title or promotions, noting that such use could mislead the public into believing that Johar was associated with the project.It had granted a stay in favour of Johar on June 13, 2024 after he approached the Court against the film’s producers IndiaPride Advisory, writer Sanjay Singh and director Bablu Singh. Johar argued that the title unlawfully used his name, violating his personality and fundamental rights..According to Johar, the makers of the film were attempting to ride on his goodwill and reputation by incorporating his name in the title. The Court in June 2024 found merit in this argument, stating that the words ‘Karan’ and ‘Johar’—along with the word ‘Director’—created an impression that Johar was associated with the film.Hence, it granted interim relief to Johar on June 13 last year stating,“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.”.The judge had then granted the filmmakers the liberty to approach the Court again if needed. The film's producers then approached the Court to vacate the interim relief.The singe-judge dismissed the same on March 7 this year.He noted that the filmmakers were attempting to "ride upon the goodwill and reputation" of Karan Johar and pointed out that merely offering to change "Karan Johar" to "Karan aur Johar" in the dialogues would not resolve the issue..This led to the appeal before the Division Bench..Senior Advocate Zal Andhyarujina and advocates Rashmin Khandekar, Parag Khandhar, Pranita Saboo, Anaheeta Verma, Pratyusha Dhodda and Shayan Bisney instructed by DSK Legal appeared for Karan Johar.Advocate Ashok Saraogi with advocates Anand Mishra, Sushil Upadhyay, Amit Dubey and Siddharth Singh appeared for Sanjay Singh..[Read Live Coverage]