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Madras HC Draws Piracy Sword: Shields Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' Days Before Release
In a swift move to safeguard Bollywood's latest big-ticket release, the on , granted to and . Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy restrained internet service providers (ISPs) and cable TV operators from unlawfully broadcasting the spy thriller Dhurandhar: The Revenge , just ahead of its theatrical debut on . The order, effective until , underscores the court's vigilance against pre-release piracy threats.
Buzz Builds for Sequel, But Shadows of Piracy Loom
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar: The Revenge is the much-hyped sequel to the 2025 blockbuster Dhurandhar . Ranveer Singh leads as an undercover operative tangled in criminal and political webs, joined by Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun. The film had already raked in over Rs 44 crore from paid previews on March 18, signaling massive opening weekend potential nearing Rs 100 crore.
Reliance and , the producers, filed applications in the Commercial Division suit (C.S.(Comm Div) No.90 of 2026), citing the certificate as proof of copyright ownership. Promotional materials confirmed the rollout, but fears of illegal streaming prompted Original Applications Nos. 242 and 243 of 2026. Respondents in OA 242 included and 29 other ISPs, while OA 243 targeted four cable operators.
Producers' Preemptive Strike: No Room for Rip-Offs
The applicants argued for urgent interim relief under , highlighting the risk of " " right before release. They emphasized that unauthorized broadcasts by intermediaries could cause massive financial setbacks, especially for a high-stakes production. No counter-arguments surfaced at this stage, but the court proactively addressed potential impacts on respondents' legitimate interests.
Court Weighs Harm: Irreversible Damage vs. Fair Play
Justice Ramamoorthy recognized the high stakes in film piracy cases.
"In matters of this nature, it is likely that
will occur unless ad interim injunction is granted to restrain unlawful broadcast,"
the judge noted, stressing the need to protect rights holders pre-release.
Yet, the court balanced equities:
"At the same time, it is possible that the legitimate business interest of one or more respondents may be affected. Therefore, the plaintiff is required to indemnify in respect thereof."
No precedents were cited, but the ruling invokes standard principles for interim relief in copyright suits—
,
, and
.
Key Observations from the Bench
-
On the threat
:
"In an action for
of copyright relating to the cinematographic film 'Dhurandhar The Revenge’, the plaintiff seeks interim relief restraining the Internet service providers and cable TV operators... from unlawfully broadcasting the movie."
-
Proof of rights
:
"As proof of ownership of copyright, the plaintiff has filed the CBFC certificate wherein the plaintiff is described as the producer. The promotional material indicates that the movie is slated for release on
."
-
Final balance
:
"Subject to this condition, orders of ad interim injunction as prayed for are granted in these two applications unt
il
."
Injunction Locked In: Notices Out, Hearing Set
"Orders of ad interim injunction as prayed for are granted in these two applications until
. Issue notice to the respondents returnable on
. Private notice is also permitted."
The court mandated compliance with procedural rules and listed the matter for
.
This protects Dhurandhar: The Revenge 's box office run, deterring digital and cable pirates. For Bollywood, it signals courts' readiness to act decisively pre-release, with indemnity ensuring intermediaries aren't unduly penalized. As the film storms theaters, Reliance's earlier withdrawn February plea hints at ongoing vigilance against evolving piracy tactics.
