Madras High Court restrains illegal broadcast of Kerala Story 2 by BSNL, Cable operators

The Madras High Court on Friday restrained internet service providers and cable TV operators from unlawfully broadcasting the film Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond [Sunshine Pictures vs. BSNL].

Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy passed the interim order in two applications filed by the movie's producer, Sunshine Pictures Limited, which apprehended copyright infringement ahead of the film’s release.

Sunshine Pictures approached the Court seeking urgent relief against multiple respondents, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and several cable TV operators, to prevent unauthorised broadcast of the film.

The Court recorded that the suit was filed to restrain unlawful broadcasting of the cinematographic film and that the plaintiff had produced the CBFC certificate as evidence of ownership, showing it as the producer of the movie.

The counsel for the plaintiff informed the Court that the film was slated for release on the same day after obtaining necessary orders from the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court.

The Court observed that in matters of this nature, irreversible injury is likely if unlawful broadcasting is not prevented at the threshold.

At the same time, the Court acknowledged that the relief sought was expansive and could affect the legitimate business interests of one or more respondents. Therefore, the Court directed the producer to provide an indemnity in respect of the relief granted.

Subject to the indemnity condition, the Court granted ad-interim injunction restraining the unlawful broadcast of the film until March 23.

The matter will be taken up again on March 23.

Sunshine Pictures was represented by T Pandiyan for PK law firm.

'The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond' is a sequel to the controversial Hindi film 'The Kerala Story'.

The Kerala High Court had on February 27 cleared the release of the movie which has stoked controversy for its title to which many objected before the Kerala High Court, claiming it misrepresents Kerala.

[Read Order]