Kantara movie: Kerala High Court stays District Court order rejecting Thaikkudam Bridge's suit

The Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed an order of the Kozhikode District Court which had returned a suit filed by music band, Thaikkudam Bridge against the producer of the 'Kantara' movie, Hombale Films for the use of "Varaha Roopam" song in the movie over alleged copyright infringement.

Justice P Somarajan issued notice to Hombale Films, Rishabh Shetty, Prithviraj Films, Amazon Seller Service Private Limited, Google India Head Office, Spotify India Private Limited and Prithviraj Sukumaran among others.

Released on September 30, 2022, Rishab Shetty's blockbuster Kannada movie Kantara, and its music composer B Ajaneeshh Loknath soon faced allegations of copyright infringement around the song 'Varaha Roopam'.

Thaikkudam Bridge alleged that the song was a rip-off of one of its songs 'Navarasam', released over five years ago.

The band quickly took to social media and informed its listeners that Thaikkudam Bridge was in no way or form affiliated with the film and that they would be initiating legal action.

It then filed a suit before the Kozhikode District court.

Subsequently, Mathrubhumi Printing and Publishing Company Ltd, which is the copyright holder of “Navarasam” also filed a suit before Palakkad District court.

Both Palakkad District Court and the Kozhikode District Court initially passed temporary injunction orders restraining the makers of the movie from using the song “Varaha Roopam” on streaming platforms and in movie theatres.

On November24, the Kerala High Court dismissed a plea filed by Hombale Films against ad-interim injunction orders passed by the two District Courts against the use of the song in the movie. 

Subsequently, the Kozhikode District Court had ruled that the suit by Thaikkudam Bridge was not maintainable.

This led to the present plea by Thaikkudam Bridge before the High Court.

[Read Order]