Interim relief denied due to lack of prima facie case regarding applicant's rights over a film's revenues and established contractual breaches.

ORDER :

N. SENTHILKUMAR, J.

The present suit has been filed by the Plaintiff seeking recovery of a sum of Rs.22,00,00,000/- along with applicable GST amounting to Rs.3,98,00,000/- together aggregating to Rs.25,98,00,000/- along with interest at the rate of 14% from the date of disbursement till the date of realisation.

2.The application in A.No.5823 of 2025 has been filed to direct the respondents 3 to 6 and any of their agents/affiliates, not to release, pay, disburse or adjust any monies whatsoever to Respondents 1 and 2 under or in connection with the agreements relating to the film “Vaa Vaathiyaar”, including but not limited to advances, settlement amounts, revenue shares or any other consideration and further direct that all such amounts presently due and hereafter accruing be remitted directly to the credit of this suit pending disposal of the suit.

3.The application in A.No.5824 of 2025 has been filed to direct the respondents 3 to 6 to disclose on affidavit within 7 (seven) days:

(i)copies/summaries of all agreements with Respondents 1 and 2 concerning “Vaa Vaathiyaar”,

(ii)amounts already paid and amounts presently due or to become due, head-wise (theatrical/overseas, digital/OTT, satellite, music and ancillary), with payment schedules and bank coordinate and

(iii)any set-off/recoupment claims asserted by Respondents 1 and 2.

4.The application in A.No.5825 of 2025 has been filed to direct the respondents, their men, agents, distributors, assignees or any person claiming through them to pay and deposit to the credit of the suit forthwith and in any event within 48 hours of each receipt, without set-off or deduction, all gross proceeds, advances, settlements and other monies, whether now due or hereafter accruing, from the exploitation of the rights (including theatrical, non- theatrical, satellite, digital/OTT, music, remake, adaptation, underlying IP and ancillary rights) in the films “X Meets Y (Telugu)” and Untitled (Telugu remake of Indru Netru Naalai), or any part thereof pending disposal of the suit.

5.The application in A.No.5825 of 2025 has been filed to to direct the respondents 1 and 2, their men, agents, distributors, assignees or any person claiming through them to pay and deposit to the credit of the suit forthwith and in any event within 48 hours of each receipt, without set-off or deduction, all gross proceeds, advances, settlements and other monies, whether now due or hereafter accruing, from the exploitation of the rights (including theatrical, non- theatrical, satellite, digital/OTT, music, remake, adaptation, underlying IP and ancillary rights) in the films “Vaa Vaathiyaar” or any part thereof pending disposal of the suit.

6.Mr.R.Parthasarathy, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the applicant submitted that the plaintiff/applicant is running a media and entertainment division, who is one of the largest business conglomerate and engaged in the business of production, acquisition, exploitation and distribution of cinematograph films. The learned Senior Counsel also submitted that the first respondent is also engaged in the business of production of cinema and the second respondent is the Managing Director of the first respondent.

7.The learned Senior Counsel further submitted that the second respondent, who is having experience and market standing in the film industry, had approached the applicant for production, marketing and distribution of five full length feature films starring G.V.Prakash Kumar, Samyuktha, Allu Sirish, Vikram, Pasupathi, Arya, Sathyaraj, Vennela Kishore and others, which will be directed by reputed directors, such as Lokesh Mithun Krishnan, Pa.Ranj