Bombay High Court refuses stay (for now) on 'Saat Samundar Paar' song in upcoming film

The Bombay High Court today refused to grant urgent interim relief to Trimurti Films Pvt Ltd., which had sued Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Saregama India for allegedly infringing copyright in using a remixed version of the 1992 song “Saat Samundar Paar” in the upcoming film Tu Meri Main Tera Tu Meri [Trimurti Films v. Dharma Productions & Ors.].

A single judge Bench of Justice Sharmila Deshmukh pronounced the decision today. A detailed order is expected to be uploaded soon.

Trimurti had sought damages of ₹10 crore and a permanent injunction to restrain the use of the song, including its tune and lyrics, for any exploitation or remix in the film, which is slated to release on December 25, or any other film.

The suit named Dharma Productions and Namah Pictures Pvt Ltd, the producers of the film, music label Saregama India Ltd and rapper‑composer Aditya Prateek Singh, popularly known as 'Badshah', as defendants.

According to the suit, Trimurti is the first owner of the copyright of the film Vishwatma and its songs, including ‘Saat Samundar Paar."

Trimurti has argued that all rights in the musical and literary works, as well as the sound recordings, vest with it, including the right to incorporate the song or any part of it in any cinematograph film.​

It has contended that a 1990 agreement with Saregama’s predecessor, The Gramophone Company of India Ltd, only assigned rights limited to reproduction and distribution of existing, original audio work.

Trimurti says that this assignment did not include permission to modify or adapt the song recording to create a derivative work through means including synchronization, remix.

Trimurti states that in early December 2025, it discovered online promotion of Tu Meri Main Tera using the tune of “Saat Samundar Paar” in Instagram posts by Dharma, Namah and Saregama, with Badshah being named as the artist on the poster. The song was not included in the music album of the film, which was released on December 17.

The plaint referred to articles indicating the defendants were “remixing” the song for inclusion in the film, though no licence or authorization for the same was sought from Trimurti.

Apart from damages and injunction, Trimurti has also sought an order to stop the release, exhibition, communication or broadcast of the film to the extent it contains the alleged infringing song.

Trimurti was represented by Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam, along with counsel Hiren Kamod briefed by team from Remfry & Sagar comprising advocates V Mohini, Aarti Aggarwal, Karan Khiani and Rohan Lopes.

Senior Advocate Birendra Saraf, with advocates Parag Khandhar, Chandrima Mitra and Anaheeta Verma, briefed by DSK Legal, appeared for Dharma Productions.

Senior Advocate Veerendra Tulzapurkar appeared for Saregama India Ltd.