On Friday, film-maker Nandi Chinni Kumar’s plea for the release of Amitabh Bachchan’s Jhund on the OTT platform was ordered to maintain status quo by the Telangana HC.
In addressing the plea, Justice P. Sudha directed the two parties to maintain the status quo until the next hearing. June 8, 2022, is the next date of hearing.
In response to Nandi Chinni’s petition seeking an injunction, the Court has also asked the respondents to file a reply.
Nandi’s Petition
Amitabh Bachchan’s Jhund was to be released on schedule last year on the OTT platform. Nandi first filed a copyright infringement against the producers, T-Series, against the film by Nagraj Manjule.
Super Cassettes, or T-Series, paid him a fine of 5 crores in damages against a civil suit filed by Nandi. But later, Nandi filed a petition seeking an injunction against the movie’s release.
The local court in Telangana, where he filed the petition, rejected it. After the rejection from the trial court, he approached the High Court to impose a stay on Amitabh Bachchan’s Jhund.
The High Court rejected the petition by Nandi, who was also pushing for the withdrawal of the settlement money. The court was informed of the successful settlement of 5 crores between the film producers and Nandi. A fine of Rs 10 lakh was then imposed on Nandi after the settlement was noted.
At the same time, a petition to review and change the decision of the High Court has been filed.
Film’s Background
Amitabh Bachchan’s Jhund is adapted from the life of the football coach and founder of the Slum Soccer Foundation. He was a social activist who was also the coach of Akhilesh Paul.
In 2017, Hyderabad-based film-maker Nandi bought the rights to film a biopic on the life of Akhilesh Paul. Nandi came to know about the Bollywood movie, Amitabh Bachchan’s Jhund, and stood up in protest.
Alleging copyright infringement, he told the court the respondents had bought the rights to make a movie about Vijay Barse. The movie would also be casting the role of Akhilesh Paul in the lead. Akhilesh Paul has been a big part of Vijay Barse’s life, thus infringing copyright.
Published By : Chittajallu H S Kumar
Edited By: Kiran Maharana
