Madras High Court Grants Temporary Injunction to Prevent Unauthorized Broadcast Of “The Kerala Story 2”

The Madras High Court has granted an ad interim injunction in a case of apprehended infringement of the copyright of the cinematographic film titled “THE KERALA STORY 2”, restraining various Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and cable TV operators from unauthorized broadcasting.

In a decision passed on March 2, 2026, Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy stated that it is necessary to prevent unlawful broadcasts at the very threshold to avoid irreversible injury. However, the Court observed that the wide-reaching nature of the requested relief could potentially impact the legitimate business interests of the respondents.

Consequently, the court directed that the producer shall indemnify the respondents in this regard as a condition for the injunction.

Sunshine Pictures Limited, the producer of the cinematographic film “THE KERALA STORY 2”, approached the High Court in an action for apprehended infringement to protect its copyright.

Counsel for the producer submitted that the plaintiff is the owner of the copyright, as evidenced by the CBFC certificate describing it as the producer, and that the movie was slated for release on the day of the hearing. The producer, therefore, sought an injunction restraining various Internet Service Providers and cable TV operators from unlawfully broadcasting the movie.

Considering the application, the High Court observed that in matters of this nature, unlawful broadcast must be prevented at the threshold to avoid irreversible injury, but the expansive nature of the relief claimed could affect the legitimate business interests of the respondents.

The bench remarked, “In matters of this nature, it is likely that irreversible injury will occur unless unlawful broadcast is prevented at the threshold. At the same time, it is possible that the legitimate business interest of one or more respondents may be affected, in view of the expansive nature of the relief claimed. Therefore, it is necessary that the plaintiff shall indemnify in respect thereof.”

Subject to this condition, the court granted an ad interim injunction until March 23, 2026, directed issuance of notice to the respondents, and listed the matter for further hearing on March 23, 2026