The Copyright Kerfuffle: Who Owns What?
Alright, BollyTadka readers, gather 'round because this is a classic Bollywood legal tangle, yaar. Turns out, the makers of the original Tamil blockbuster Kaithi, Dream Warrior Pictures (DWP), are seriously miffed. They’ve dragged none other than Reliance Entertainment Studios and Ajay Devgn Ffilms LLP to the Bombay High Court, claiming a full-blown copyright infringement and, get this, unpaid dues for the Hindi remake, Bholaa.
DWP produced and released Kaithi way back in October 2019, and they're very clear: they own all the intellectual property, including those coveted remake rights. They apparently started talks for a Hindi adaptation with a Reliance Group entity in early 2020. Fast forward to March 29, 2023, an agreement was signed, granting Reliance the rights for Bholaa. The deal was supposed to see DWP get a fixed fee, paid in instalments, plus some extra cash based on the film's performance. Now, here's where it gets interesting: DWP alleges they only received an initial payment of Rs. 1 crore (plus GST) in April 2022. Wait, April 2022 for an agreement signed in March 2023? That's a bit of a head-scratcher, but we're just reporting what's been claimed!
Bholaa, starring and directed by Ajay Devgn, hit screens globally on March 30, 2023. Just a day later, on April 1, 2023, a second agreement was reportedly executed. This one roped in DWP, Reliance, and Ajay Devgn Ffilms LLP, giving them joint ownership of the remake rights, with Reliance handling the exploitation. DWP claims the subsequent payments due in April and May 2023 never materialised. Two years of alleged radio silence on follow-ups? That’s not cool, pakka!
From NCLT to Bombay HC: A Legal Rollercoaster
After being ghosted for what DWP claims was two long years, they finally sent a legal notice in October 2024, demanding Rs. 4 crore plus interest. They even warned that if the money wasn't paid within 30 days, the agreement would be terminated, and all rights would revert to them. Guess what? November 2024 came and went, the deadline passed, and DWP is now saying the agreement is cancelled and those rights? Back in their pocket.
This isn't their first rodeo trying to recover dues, mind you. DWP had earlier approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Mumbai, pushing for insolvency proceedings against Reliance Entertainment. But the NCLT dismissed that plea in August 2025, saying it wasn't an 'operational debt' and should be handled as a civil dispute. So, DWP took their fight to the next level.
On March 22, 2026, they filed a commercial intellectual property suit in the Bombay High Court. They’re not just asking for their money anymore; they want a court order to stop Reliance and Ajay Devgn Ffilms from distributing, streaming, or making any more money from Bholaa. Plus, they want a formal declaration that those agreements are well and truly terminated. Right now, Justice Sharmila Deshmukh has reserved her decision on a preliminary issue: whether the Bombay High Court even has the authority to hear this case. The Bholaa producers are challenging the court’s jurisdiction, arguing it should be heard elsewhere. Talk about adding another twist to the tale!
Honestly, this whole situation looks messy. It’s not just about money; it’s about who really holds the cards when remake rights go south. We'll be keeping a close eye on this one, folks. The High Court's decision on jurisdiction will be the first big hurdle cleared, or not, in this unfolding drama.