‘Viyaah Kartaare Da’: Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions moves Bombay High Court over termination of film deal

The parties had entered into an agreement on December 10, 2025, which provided that any disputes between them were to be resolved through arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Dharma Productions allegedly promoted the said film through its official social media platforms and was expecting to recover its losses incurred in the previous film, Akaal -The Unconquered, through its association with the upcoming film.

The matter is now listed for February 18.

Deal made after previous movie flopped

• Dharma Productions, a well-known film production company engaged in production, acquisition, exploitation and distribution of cinematographic films, entered into an agreement with Humble Motion, another production and content company, incorporated in the United Arab Emirates.
• Dharma had earlier entered into an agreement with Humble Motion and suffered losses of approximately Rs 7.25 crore following the failure of a Punjabi film titled Akaal — The Unconquered.
• Subsequently, Humble Motion approached Dharma with a proposal to associate with Humble’s next Punjabi feature film titled Viyaah Kartaare Da for enabling it to recoup its earlier investment in Akaal.
• They entered into an agreement on December 10, 2025, which stated that Dharma would take charge of consultancy, marketing, brand support, and allied services in relation to the said film.
  Dharma Productions allegedly fulfilled its part of the obligations in the contract and promoted the said film.
• On January 10, Humble allegedly requested Dharma Productions to temporarily fund 50 per cent of the print and advertising costs in connection with the satellite and digital proceeds.
• However, it was claimed that Humble Motion subsequently terminated the agreement without mentioning any reasons for the same via mail on January 21.
• It was also submitted that Humble Motion published and circulated a poster and teaser of the said film without attributing any credits to Dharma, which is contrary to the terms of the said agreement.

Dharma Productions’ submission

• Dharma Productions, through its counsel, advocate Parag Khandhar, claimed that the termination of the agreement by Humble Motion is a “colourable attempt to wriggle out of its clear monetary obligations to Dharma”.
• Khandhar claimed the termination of the said agreement is illegal, arbitrary and mala fide since Humble Motion had benefited from the agreement and it was terminated without fulfilling their part of the obligations.
• It was stated that Dharma Productions replied to the email of termination on January 29 and pointed out that the said agreement has no termination clause.
• Dharma also pointed out that it has performed its part of the contract, and Humble unjustly enriched itself by using Dharma’s brand and services.
• They also estopped Humble Motion from terminating the said agreement in their reply.
• It was further submitted that Humble is in sole control of the theatrical, satellite, digital and other exploitation rights of the said film.

• If the high court does not restrain Humble Motion, it is likely to proceed with the release and monetisation of the said film and retain the entire revenue generated from the film.
• It was claimed in such a situation the arbitral proceedings were “infructuous” and any eventual award in favour of Dharma will be a mere “paper decree”.
• Dharma also stated that the termination of the agreement via email on January 21, 2026, does not allege a single breach of the agreement by Dharma.
• It claimed that the sole ground cited for termination in the email is that Humble is “no longer desirous of availing the services contemplated thereunder”.

Relief sought

• Dharma Productions requested the Bombay High Court to restrain Humble Motion from terminating the said agreement and to direct it to perform its part of the obligation.
• The production house also asked Humble Motion to pay over 50 per cent of the “theatrical overflow” to Dharma, or, in the alternative, to deposit the same with the court.
• The house is also asked to pay over 50 per cent of all other revenue earned in relation to the film to Dharma, or, in the alternative, to deposit the same with the court.
• Dharma also sought directions to Humble Motion to deposit a security amount of Rs 7.03 crore before the court, pending arbitration proceedings.