The Bombay High Court has officially continued the stay on the release of a film tentatively titled Shaadi Ke Director Karan – Johar, citing an infringement on the personality and publicity rights of the acclaimed filmmaker Karan Johar. On Wednesday, the division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice M S Karnik, dismissed an appeal by the movie’s producer, Sanjay Singh, who had contested a previous court order halting the film’s release. The court’s ruling clarified that the use of “Karan” and “Johar” together in the film’s title directly references Karan Johar, whose reputation and influence stretch across India and around the world, especially within the entertainment industry.
The judges made a significant observation, stating that the combination of the names was enough to create public association with Karan Johar, a leading director and producer in Indian cinema. According to the court, Karan Johar’s name has become a recognizable brand, carrying substantial economic value, and only he has the authority to utilize it for commercial purposes. The bench rejected the argument presented by the film’s makers that modifying the title to include the conjunction ‘aur’ (and), such as Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar, would resolve the dispute. The court stated that such a change would not eliminate the confusion, as any formation using both names would still mislead audiences into believing the filmmaker is somehow associated with or endorses the movie.
The ruling emphasized that Karan Johar has gained immense goodwill and public standing due to his vast body of work as a filmmaker, producer, and media personality. In its detailed order, the court referenced the legal principles protecting rights of publicity and personality, reiterating that celebrities like Karan Johar are entitled to safeguard their names and public image, especially when these have acquired commercial value. The verdict determined that the contested film title, even with modifications, suggested an unauthorized connection and could potentially mislead viewers regarding Karan Johar’s involvement.
By refusing to lift the stay, the Bombay High Court has reinforced the importance of respecting the rights of well-known personalities when it comes to commercial identification. The continued halt on the release of Shaadi Ke Director Karan – Johar underlines the gravity courts place on protecting the personal and economic interests tied to names like Karan Johar in Indian cinema. Legal experts note that this decision may set a significant precedent for the future, prompting filmmakers and producers to seek proper permissions and tread carefully when referencing famous personalities in their works. The next steps in the dispute remain uncertain, but the court’s message about the inviolability of a celebrity’s rights is clear and resolute.
