Madras High Court Temporarily Restrains Illegal Broadcast Of Vijay Starrer “Jana Nayagan” Movie

The Madras High Court, on Thursday (16 April), granted an interim injunction restraining internet service providers (ISPs) and cable operators from illegally streaming the “Jana Nayagan” movie, starring Actor Vijay.

Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy granted the interim relief in a suit moved by the movie's producers, KVN Productions.

The production company had approached the court seeking a permanent injunction restraining the ISPs and cable operators from infringing on the movie and blocking all websites and web pages hosting content related to the movie.

The production company submitted that while the certification of the movie was pending, it was shocked to not that the movie was circulating on social media unlawfully. The company argued that they were the producers of the movie and owners of copyright. Thus, it was submitted that the illegal broadcast would infringe the rights of the company.

Taking note of the submission, the court ruled that if the illegal broadcast is continued to be permitted, the company would be put to irreparable loss. Thus, the court ordered an interim injunction restraining the illegal broadcast.

“Petitioner asserts that they are the producers of the film and owners of copyright. Even the certification process is not completed. If illegal broadcast is permitted, it will cause irreparable injury to plaintiff. Thus, there shall be an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from illegally broadcasting the cinematograph film,” the court ruled.

It may be noted that the movie, which is slated to be actor Vijay's last film before his official entry into politics, was caught in a legal web after the CBFC delayed its certification. The producers of the movie, KVN Productions, had approached the court against the delay.

The single judge, on January 9, ruled in favour of the production house and directed the CBFC to certify the movie forthwith. However, on the same day, a division bench stayed the single judge's order.

Subsequently, the division bench set aside the single judge's order, noting that the Board had not been given a proper opportunity to be heard. However, the bench remanded the matter to the single judge for fresh adjudication.

Though the court had granted liberty to the producers to challenge the CBFC's decision to refer the movie to the revising committee, the producers chose to withdraw the plea, which was permitted by the single judge.

While the movie's certification process was still pending, clips from the film were circulated online. A complaint was registered, and six persons were arrested in connection with the illegal streaming of the movie.

In the meantime, the production company has approached the court seeking to prevent the illegal streaming of the movie.