Bhansali Productions moves Bombay HC to restrain Eros International from exploiting rights of ‘Bajirao Mastani’

Bhansai Productions said that neither Eros International PLC nor STX Filmworks are parties to the co-production agreement between the Bhansali Productions and Eros International Limited and therefore they cannot claim any rights on the film

Written by Omkar Gokhale

Mumbai | June 24, 2020 11:09 AM IST

3 min read

Bajirao Mastani, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Eros International, Ram Leela

The film, co-produced by Bhansali Productions and Eros International Media Limited, was released in 2015.

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s production house Tuesday approached the Bombay High Court, seeking restraining orders against production and distribution company Eros International Media Ltd from exploiting the rights of the 2015 film Bajirao Mastani. The film, co-produced by Bhansali Productions and Eros International Media Limited, was released in 2015.

This comes a month after the court had directed Eros International to pay the dues of Rs 19.39 lakh to Bhansali Productions for 2013 film Goliyon ki Rasleela Ram-Leela.

A single-judge bench of Justice Burgess P Colabawalla briefly heard the plea through videoconference on Tuesday and adjourned it till June 30.

Bhansali Productions through senior counsel Zal Andhyarujina along with advocates Nausher Kohli and Parag Khandhar challenged an intimation filed by Eros International with Bombay Stock Exchange of an all-share merger with its parent company Eros International Plc and Hollywood’s STX Filmworks. The proposed merger is likely to be closed by June 30.

The Bhansali productions claim that the merger was being entered into using a misleading disclosure that Eros had some rights to the film ‘Bajirao Mastani’. It further said that neither Eros International PLC nor STX Filmworks are parties to the co-production agreement between the Bhansali Productions and Eros International Limited and therefore they cannot claim any rights on the film. Advocate Akshay Patil for Eros International opposed the plea.

With regards to the 2013 movie Ram Leela, the HC on May 4 had noted that respondent companies are situated in the British Isles and California and it will require a detailed hearing to consider the law on whether reliefs can be granted against entities falling beyond the court’s jurisdiction. “I do not think that a case for ad-interim reliefs is made out at this stage, considering that the court is hearing only extremely urgent matters due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Justice Colabawalla had said.

However, the bench had directed Eros International to pay dues of Rs 19.39 lakh to Bhansali Production related to the co-production arrangement within three weeks. The court had said Bhansali Productions will have the liberty to approach it for relief against the merger after the regular court resumes post lockdown.

Omkar Gokhale

Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions. Expertise & Authority Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage. Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in: Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include: Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes). Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty). Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict. Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability. Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges. Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More

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Tags:

Bajirao Mastani Bombay High Court Eros International Ram Leela Sanjay Leela Bhansali