High Court Puts Brakes on Film Release Over Unauthorized Use of Karan Johar’s Persona

The Bombay High Court on Friday denied permission for the release of the film Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar, stating that both its title and content breached filmmaker and producer Karan Johar’s privacy and personality rights. The court also noted that the film infringed upon his brand value. Justice R.I. Chagla, presiding as a single-judge bench, stated that the film’s title would inevitably lead audiences to associate it directly with Karan Johar.

In June 2024, Karan Johar moved the high court to prevent the release of the film by Indiapride Advisory Pvt Ltd, arguing that its title infringed upon his personality, publicity, and privacy rights. He asserted that using his name and profession without his consent constituted a violation of these rights.  Johar informed the court that the filmmakers had ignored a cease-and-desist notice he had issued on June 6, 2024, instructing them not to reference his name in any form within the movie. Emphasizing that he had no association with the project, he claimed that the filmmakers were attempting to exploit his reputation and mislead the public by leveraging his name.

The renowned filmmaker also claimed that the movie’s script included defamatory statements and indirect attacks against him. He further pointed out that the script indicated it was classified as an “adult category film,” and if released with references to his name, it could damage his reputation. The court sided with Johar and put a hold on the film’s release on June 13, 2024.

In December 2024, Indiapride Advisory responded by filing a countersuit, requesting the court to revoke the stay order. Advocate Ashok M. Saraogi, representing the defendants, argued that Johar had delayed his legal action until the final stages, securing an ex-parte objection despite the film’s release preparations being nearly complete. He further claimed that Johar’s name was not explicitly mentioned in the film and stated that the filmmakers were open to making necessary modifications if required.

Karan Johar contested the filmmakers’ use of his name, arguing that they knowingly proceeded despite legal proceedings. The court ruled in his favor, granting an injunction against the film’s release, stating that the unauthorized use of his name violated his personality, publicity, and privacy rights. The bench also rejected the defendant’s claim that Johar had delayed taking legal action and ruled that minor modifications to the film would not be enough to prevent public confusion.