In a temporary respite for Aditya Dhar, director of the recently released Bollywood film Dhurandhar, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday restrained filmmaker Santosh Kumar from making any comments on the film, which could be defamatory.
sole judge Justice Arif Doctor listened to the brief presentations of Dr. Birendra Saraf, Senior Advocate who represented Dhar and urged the court to pass at least an interim order as Kumar continued to make defamatory statements in the media against the film and also against his client (Dhar).
Having considered the argument, Justice Doctor approved a ex parte interim order, restraining Kumar from making comments or repeating comments made against Dhar and his film until further order.
The court, while observing that Dhar had made out a “prima facie” case at this stage, issued notice to Kumar and adjourned the matter for further hearing till April 16.
According to Dhar, soon after the release of the second part of the film (Dhurandhar: The Revenge), Kumar addressed a press conference and made certain allegations of plagiarism. Kumar is alleged to have accused Dhar of “copying” his script which he claimed he had registered with the Screenwriters Association in 2023.
Kumar had claimed that he had discussed his original script titled ‘D Saheb’ with several major production houses, but even before anything could proceed, Dhar copied his script and made the film in question.
“The plaintiff and his team were shocked and dismayed to find numerous videos/video clips recorded or extracted from the recording of the said press meeting, which have been independently uploaded, republished and distributed by various accounts, including but not limited to the said accounts, resulting in wide and repeated dissemination of the defamatory statements. During the course of the said press meeting, the defendant no. 1 has made several false, scandalous, patently defamatory, derogatory statements and statements disparaging statements about the Claimant that damage and defame the reputation and goodwill of the Claimant, before the world at large”, says the suit.
Saraf informed the court that after Kumar’s press conference, his client Dhar issued a legal notice to Kumar and urged him to refrain from making “baseless” plagiarism allegations. The filmmaker also maintained that the accusations were unfounded and defamatory and that they “damaged” his reputation.
The senior lawyer also argued that since in the press conference itself, Kumar had warned of legal action, he was free to initiate legal proceedings related to the alleged violation.
“An appropriate response will be given to the legal proceedings, if any, initiated. But until then, you should refrain from using such language.” Saraf urged the court.
Despite the legal notice, Kumar decided not to respond to it and even did not appear for Wednesday’s hearing.
Having heard the arguments, Justice Dhar granted interim relief restraining Kumar from making further defamatory comments.
The next hearing on the matter will be April 16.
