Madras High Court Refuses To Restrain Worldwide Release Of Hindi 'Drishyam 3,' Finds Remake Rights Disputed

The Madras High Court has recently refused to restrain the worldwide release and exploitation of the Hindi remake of Malayalam film Drishyam 3, starring Ajay Devgn. It held that Rajkumar Theatres had not clearly established that it continued to hold an exclusive or joint copyright in the Hindi remake rights.

Justice K. Govindarajan Thilakavadi dismissed Rajkumar Theatres' application on October 1, 2026. The company had sought interim protection against the film's release pending arbitration.

Rajkumar claimed that it was a 50% joint owner with Wide Angle Creations of the Hindi and certain North Indian language remake rights. It relied on agreements dated December 22, 2013 and June 12, 2014 to claim joint ownership of the rights.

The company alleged that Drishyam 3 had been remade in Hindi without its knowledge or consent. It claimed that the film was likely to be released on October 2, 2026, and sought an injunction against its worldwide release and exploitation.

The producers, director and other parties involved in the Hindi remake opposed the plea. They argued that Rajkumar had not produced any document establishing a subsisting exclusive right to restrain the film's production or exploitation.

They contended that the Hindi sequel was made under rights assigned to Viacom18 under a 2014 assignment. They also relied on 2022 settlement agreements and argued that Rajkumar had subsequently assigned the relevant Hindi and derivative rights.

The court noted that the injunction sought would, in substance, prevent the worldwide release and exploitation of the Hindi remake. It observed that such an order could have “serious consequences” for rights claimed by the respondents and third parties under subsequent arrangements.

The court found that Rajkumar had not placed sufficient material to establish its continuing rights in the Hindi remake.

“The material presently placed before this Court does not, at this interlocutory stage, establish with sufficient clarity that the applicant continues to possess an exclusive or joint copy right in the Hindi remake rights of 'Drishyam 3'.”

The court noted that the respondents were relying on subsequent assignment and settlement documents.

It also observed that Rajkumar's claim that the rights acquired under the December 22, 2013 agreement extended to the second sequel required examination of the contractual documents and the parties' subsequent conduct.

The respondents' contention that Rajkumar had assigned or otherwise dealt with the relevant Hindi and derivative rights also required adjudication.

The court observed that Rajkumar's asserted rights were “seriously disputed on the basis of subsequent documents”. It ruled that the company had not established the necessary foundation for the “sweeping restraint” sought.

The application was dismissed