The Bombay High Court has barred the release of the film Shaadi Ke Director Karan Johar, ruling that its title and content violate filmmaker Karan Johar’s personal and professional rights. The decision was issued by Justice R.I. Chagla, who found that the movie’s name could mislead audiences into associating it with Johar.
The filmmaker had moved the court in June 2024, arguing that his identity was being used without authorization. He claimed that the film’s producers, Indiapride Advisory Pvt Ltd, were attempting to capitalize on his established reputation. His legal plea emphasized that his name, profession, and public image were being exploited without consent, which he asserted amounted to an infringement of his privacy and publicity rights.
Johar had previously sent a cease-and-desist notice to the filmmakers on June 6, 2024, requesting them to refrain from linking his name to the project in any capacity. However, the production team did not comply with the request, prompting him to seek judicial intervention.
In addition to concerns over unauthorized use of his identity, Johar also argued that the film’s storyline contained offensive material that could damage his public standing. He pointed out that certain dialogues and themes in the script were defamatory in nature and could negatively impact his reputation. Furthermore, he noted that the film appeared to belong to the adult genre, making any perceived association with him particularly harmful.
Acknowledging these concerns, the court issued an order halting the film’s release on June 13, 2024. The ruling reinforces the legal protection surrounding personality rights and unauthorized brand associations in the entertainment industry.
