The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to lift the stay on the release of Amitabh Bachchan starrer 'Jhund' and dismissed an appeal against the Telangana High Court order which had stalled the movie's screening over copyright row.
The film, based on the life of Vijay Barse, the founder of NGO Slum Soccer, was scheduled to be released this month on OTT platform. The film was earlier scheduled to be released in May but due to COVID-19 pandemic, it did not hit the screens.
Copyright infringement against filmmakers of Jhund
Hyderabad-based short-film maker Nandi Chinni Kumar has alleged copyright infringement against the filmmakers, who have refuted the allegation.
During the hearing, the apex court observed that it is an interesting case and it would direct that the trial will be completed within six months. Counsel appearing for the filmmaker said that the movie would be useless in six months and they were willing to pay the person in question. He said that amount was agreed between the parties but now they are not adhering to the agreement.
A trial court in Telangana on September 17 stayed the release of the movie till the conclusion of the case. The decision of the trial court was upheld by the High Court on October 19.
Super Cassettes has said in their petition filed in the top court that they have invested a significant amount in production, distribution, marketing and promotion and have also created third party rights on the film which is to be broadcast on a wide scale both nationally and internationally.
"A cinematograph film is a perishable commodity and halting of the complex process that leads up to the release of the film at such a belated stage could prove to be fiscally ruinous for the petitioner and make the entire project financially unviable," the plea said. 'Jhund' is directed by Marathi superhit film Sairat filmmaker Nagraj Manjule.
