Ahead of Sept 24 Release, Bengaluru Court Restrains Defamatory URLs Against Nani's 'The Paradise'

In a significant pre-release victory for the producers of Nani's upcoming film The Paradise , the XXXV Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru has granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction against the circulation of allegedly false and defamatory content. The order, passed on September 19, 2026, specifically targets a set of URLs and social media posts that the plaintiff claims are part of a coordinated campaign to harm the film's commercial prospects.

The Legal Battle Begins

The plaintiff, Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas LLP, the production house behind the film, approached the court just five days before the worldwide theatrical release scheduled for September 24. The producer argued that substantial financial investments had been made in the production, marketing, and distribution of the film. The official trailer released on August 6, 2026, was followed by what the plaintiff described as a "systematically coordinated" wave of false and derogatory posts on social media platforms.

Relying on screenshots and URLs compiled in the plaint, the producer contended that the content went beyond fair criticism and amounted to targeted commercial defamation designed to destroy the film's box-office prospects. Given the imminent release, the plaintiff urged the court to dispense with prior notice to the defendants, arguing that any delay would allow unidentified entities to delete, alter, or multiply the offending URLs, thereby frustrating the very purpose of seeking an injunction.

Court Finds Prima Facie Case

After hearing the plaintiff's counsel and reviewing the material on record, the court expressed satisfaction that a prima facie case existed. The judge observed that the derogatory statements "go beyond standard artistic evaluation and appear targeted to diminish the commercial value of the production."

The court further noted that unhindered viral dissemination of the impugned material immediately before the theatrical release could cause " unquantifiable and irreversible economic and reputational damage " to the plaintiff. The balance of convenience , the court held, tilted heavily in favor of the producer.

Injunction Granted, But With Safeguards

The court dispensed with prior notice under the proviso to Order XXXIX Rule 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure and restrained the defendants, their officers, agents, and persons acting through them from hosting, publishing, transmitting, reproducing, or making available the allegedly false and defamatory content specifically identified in the schedule to the plaint.

Crucially, the court clarified that the restriction does not extend to bona fide public reviews or genuine criticism. The injunction is strictly confined to the specifically identified URLs, ensuring that legitimate discourse around the film remains unaffected.

The temporary injunction is not open-ended; it will remain in force only until the next date of hearing. The plaintiff has been directed to comply with Order XXXIX Rule 3 CPC by dispatching copies of the plaint, documents, application, and order to the defendants within 24 hours. The suit and the interim application have been posted for further hearing on October 28, 2026.

What This Means for The Paradise

Starring Nani in the lead role, The Paradise tells the story of Jadal, a man who guides a marginalized tribe in their struggle against discrimination and systemic injustice. The film is slated for a massive worldwide release in eight languages. With the court's order now in place, the producers have secured a legal shield against what they perceive as a targeted defamation campaign, allowing them to focus on the film's theatrical premiere.